Ferrous vs. Nonferrous Metals

Ferrous and Nonferrous material needs to be sorted correctly for safety

Ferrous vs. Nonferrous Metals

Whether your company produces scrap metal and you have questions about metal separation and pricing, or if you’re in the market to buy or sell metals, it’s important to understand the basic differences between ferrous and nonferrous materials. At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we not only process both types of metals, but can answer all of your questions about metal types. 

What Are Ferrous Materials?

Ferrous materials are iron-containing metals. Because of this, ferrous materials have their own distinctive properties that affect what the metals are both used for. Because of the iron in them, most ferrous materials are magnetic, making them useful in electrical applications. Another thing to consider is that the majority of ferrous metals have a higher carbon content, which makes them more durable, but also makes them more likely to rust, with some exceptions. Common ferrous metals include steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and wrought iron. 

What Are Nonferrous Materials?

Nonferrous metals are simply those metals that do not contain any appreciable amount of iron. The primary advantage of nonferrous materials is that they are more flexible and malleable than their ferrous counterparts. Because they don’t contain any iron, they’re also more resistant to corrosion and rust. Common nonferrous metals include zinc, tin, aluminum, lead, and copper. 

FAQs About Ferrous and Nonferrous Materials

Consider the following answers to frequently asked questions we hear about ferrous and nonferrous materials–

  • Do I need to separate materials before recycling? If you are bringing metals to a scrap recycling center or scrap yard, you may wonder whether you need to separate materials before arrival. At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, you do not need to separate your ferrous and nonferrous materials, nor do you need to weigh materials in advance. We can handle this at our facility.
  • Why should I recycle metal products? Recycling both ferrous and nonferrous materials is an important part of being an environmental steward and a responsible citizen. Recycling metals helps to reduce the need for new metal mining, keeps materials out of the landfill, conserves energy, and supports the local economy.

Learn More By Calling Scrap Metal Services, LLC Directly Today

If you have more questions about ferrous vs. nonferrous metals, what we buy, what we sell, or how to start recycling your scrap metal, call our team at Scrap Metal Services, LLC directly today. We are happy to answer your questions and look forward to working together.

What Are Nonferrous Materials and How Are They Processed?

examples of nonferrous metals that can be recycled with an experienced metal recycling company

Most metal recycling operations focus on the recycling and processing of ferrous materials. However, nonferrous materials are important too and are desired by parties in numerous different industries. At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we manage both ferrous and nonferrous metal processing.

What Does Nonferrous Mean?

Nonferrous materials are those materials that do not contain iron – on the contrary, ferrous materials are materials that do contain iron. There is a long list of valuable nonferrous materials, including:

  • Aluminum;
  • Nickel;
  • Zinc;
  • Tin;
  • Copper;
  • Lead;
  • Brass; and
  • Titanium.

What’s more, the metals that we think of as “precious metals,” like gold and silver, are also nonferrous. There are also numerous rare metals, like cobalt, that are nonferrous in nature.

What Do We Use Nonferrous Materials for?

Nonferrous materials are used in the iron and steel industries, and for the manufacture of consumer goods and more. They are desirable because they are flexible and lightweight, and may contain other properties, such as resistance to corrosion. Because these materials do not contain iron, they are not magnetic. This can be desirable for certain manufacturing jobs and other projects.

How Are Nonferrous Materials Processed and Recycled?

The recycling of nonferrous materials is critical; recycling is an economically viable option for most materials (i.e. aluminum) and is also environmentally sound. The process of recycling nonferrous materials starts with sorting – different materials types must be properly sorted in order to be processed correctly. It is critical that any non-recyclable materials, like plastic, are removed. The second step of the process is baling, where the nonferrous materials are compacted into large blocks. This makes their transportation easier.

After sorting and baling, shearing, or cutting, of the nonferrous materials is the next step. This is done using high-grade machinery. From there, ferrous and nonferrous materials are further sorted and separated, typically using magnetic forces. Finally, nonferrous materials will be melted and shaped.

We’re a Trusted Metal Recycler Near You

At Scrap Metal Services, Inc., we have been in the metal recycling industry for more than a decade, and are a worldwide leader in scrap processing. We specialize in metal recovery and the processing of both ferrous and nonferrous materials and are ready to help your company meet its recycling goals today.

To learn more about the process of recycling nonferrous materials, please call us today at 708-730-1400 or send us a message using the intake form on our website.