Friday 9 March 2012

How To Sort Your Scrap Metal


If you have been trying to collect scrap to sell on to dealers or it’s something you have been thinking about doing, you will need to ensure that you properly sort through the metal and keep each type together. This will make it easier for the dealer to weigh and pay you and it will also make it easier for you to know how much scrap you currently have for each type of metal.

First, you will need to get your hands onto six old bins or boxes that are of a considerable size. You should label them ‘aluminium’, ‘iron’, ‘stainless steel’, ‘car batteries’, ‘copper’ and ‘brass’ – make sure that these labels are clear and obvious. The scrap metals you find will fit into one of these bins.

Car batteries, contrary to popular belief, are 100% recyclable, and they have their own bin because the scrap metals do not need to be separated before sale – the dealers will pay you a lump sum per battery and do the separation themselves.

Ensure that you properly check each item of scrap before assigning it to a bin or cardboard box – scrap metal dealers have keen eyes and will immediately pick out items that you have forgotten or miss-binned. A quick way remember this is that dull silver is aluminium, magnetic shiny silver iron, and non-magnetic shiny silver is stainless steel. Copper and brass scrap is easy to spot, as it is red and gold in colour, respectively.

By sorting your scrap metals from the moment you collect them, you will save yourself a lot of time down the track. Not only will you be able to estimate how much your various scrap bins are worth at any given time, you will be loved by the scrap dealers who won’t have to do the sorting themselves.

Tuesday 6 March 2012

How To Properly Care For Copper

When it comes to the proper care and maintenance of your copper machining bars, you should ensure that the process begins the moment that they are delivered. Whilst the metal is known for its high thermal and electrical conductivity, it is also quite malleable in some alloys, making it important to ensure that all copper bars are carefully handled and cleaned to avoid damage.

Once you have received a shipment of copper bars, you should always begin by checking that each bar has been fitted with a protective coating. This coating is easily peeled off, but is necessary for the transportation of the metal as it helps to absorb any damage that may pass through. You should always store your copper materials indoors and covered, as this helps to prevent oxidization, which turns the copper a darker colour.

Whenever you need to handle copper bars, you need to avoid letting scrape against each other and against other hard or sharp surfaces. This is because the malleable nature of the metal allows it to be dented when it comes into contact with other objects. It is also important to be highly careful when cutting copper, as it can prove toxic to humans and other life forms when exposed to large amounts of its dust or fumes.

Finally, if you want to ensure that your copper bars are kept looking as good as new for as long as possible, all you have to do is regularly clean them to remove dirt and oxidization build ups. Begin with the least harsh method for cleaning possible, and move up the chain as you need to. A sulfamic wash is great for removing tough oxidization and finishing up with a polishing cloth will keep up the copper’s shine.