Mining metal is an invasive procedure that requires a great deal of energy to extract the substance from the earth and process it into usable materials. The process destroys the soil and releases toxic compounds into the air, earth, and water. Metal salvage or recycling eliminates many of these costs and reduces the environmental impact considerably. Below is a list of different scrap metal types and how to identify them.

Ferrous Metals

Ferrous metals are magnetic because they contain some iron content. These include pure iron, steel, tin, lead, and a few other rarer substances. Steel and iron can normally be bundled together and are often classified as the same material. Steel is exceptionally strong and durable and, like iron, will likely show signs of rust after exposure to the elements. Tin is often confused for aluminum except for its magnetic response. It is lightweight and makes a cracking noise when you bend it. Stainless steel is quite heavy, shiny, and does not rust. Separate these various metals into different bins before transporting them to the metal salvage yard. Although car batteries are made of lead and can be recycled, they belong in their own pile.

Non-Ferrous Metals

Non-ferrous metals produce no magnetic response. These include aluminum, copper, brass, and gold. Aluminum is exceptionally lightweight and is often a bright silver unless it's painted. Copper is a dark red metal often used in plumbing pipes and fixtures, cables, and wire. Brass is an alloy that contains copper and zinc, so it looks similar but is a lighter red than copper. For the best price, sort non-ferrous metals by type.

The above list of scrap metal types should help you undertake recycling efforts for environmental benefits and profit. Contact Miamitown Auto Parts & Recycling, the premier metal salvage and scrap yard in the Cincinnati Tri-State area. It has been family-owned and -operated since 1969. Visit their website to send an online message, or call (513) 353-1111 to ask about metal salvage prices.