Non-Ferrous Scrap Metals

What are non-ferrous metals?

In metallurgy, non-ferrous metal is any metal, including alloys, that does not contain iron in appreciable amounts. Generally more expensive than ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are used because of desirable properties such as low weight (e.g. aluminium), higher conductivity (e.g. copper), non-magnetic properties, or resistance to corrosion (e.g. zinc). Some non-ferrous materials are also used in the iron and steel industries. For example, bauxite is used as a flux for blast furnaces, while others such as wolframite, pyrolusite and chromite are used in making ferrous alloys.

Important non-ferrous metals include aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium, zinc and alloys such as brass. Precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, and exotic or rare metals such as cobalt, mercury, tungsten, beryllium, bismuth, cerium, cadmium, niobium, indium, gallium, germanium, lithium, selenium, tantalum, tellurium, vanadium and zirconium are also non-ferrous.

Can non-ferrous metals be recycled?

Due to its extensive use, non-ferrous scrap metal is usually recycled. The secondary materials in scrap are vital to the metallurgy industry, as the production of new metals often needs them. Some recycling facilities re-smelt and recast non-ferrous materials. The dross is collected and stored onsite while the metal fumes are filtered and collected. Non-ferrous scrap metals are sourced from industrial scrap materials, particle emissions and obsolete technology scrap (e.g. copper cables). Precious non-ferrous materials are usually sourced from jewellery, electronics and used industrial catalysts.

What are commonly recycled non-ferrous metals?