The Price Difference Between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal

Scrap Metal Recycling 1-888-586-5322
Scrap Metal Recycling 1-888-586-5322

Metal recycling is an incredibly important endeavor for our planet. Not only is it vital for the sustenance and preservation of our natural resources, it also reduces air pollution, protects wildlife and nature, and much more. But did you know that metal recycling is also profitable? You can sell your scrap metal bulk to a local metal recycling center, and they will pay you cash on the spot for whatever it’s worth.

Since there are two primary metal categories, and numerous types of metal within each, the price of your scrap will vary depending on quantity and type. If you want a better understanding of how much your scrap metal is worth, start by learning the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including their market values.

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

The difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals is easy to understand. Simply put, ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals DO NOT contain iron. In fact, the term “non-ferrous” translates to “non-iron.” The most common ferrous metals include iron, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, and carbon steel. Some common non-ferrous metals include aluminum, copper, brass, lead, tin, nickel, and zinc.

Now you may be asking yourself if precious metals are ferrous or not. Well, most precious metals do not contain iron. Gold, silver, platinum, cobalt, mercury, tungsten, beryllium, bismuth, cerium, cadmium, niobium, indium, gallium, germanium, lithium, selenium, tantalum, tellurium, vanadium, and zirconium are all categorized as non-ferrous metals.

General Price Differences

Ferrous metals are more abundant, which makes them lower in cost. The fact that steel and iron are widely recycled contributes to the vast availability and affordability of iron and steel metals. As a result, their values do not fluctuate greatly from a day to day basis. In contrast, non-ferrous metals are usually worth more since they are less available and more difficult to manufacture. Although aluminum keeps steady for the most part, other non-ferrous metals, like brass and copper, tend to fluctuate a lot from week to week.

Iron or No Iron?

To learn whether or not your scrap contains iron, you can implement the magnet test. You see, iron is magnetic, so anything that contains nominal traces of iron will attract magnets. All you have to do is see if a magnet sticks to your metal. If it does stick, it is ferrous!

Where to Get the Most for Your Scrap

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle scrap metal in Central and Southern Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all metal and metal commodities, including vehicles, car parts, appliances, construction equipment, farming equipment, and much more! Collect all the scrap metal you can, and then sell it to us for the highest profit in town! Request a free estimate or information, today.