Phoenix Scrap Metals has proudly served as a leading scrap metal merchant in Addington and South London for many years, building a strong reputation for reliable services in collecting and processing various types of scrap metal. Understanding the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals is key for clients who are looking to maximise their returns when selling their scrap.
This guide offers a detailed insight into what non-ferrous scrap metals are and how to identify them when preparing a consignment for collection.
We pay the best scrap metal prices for ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain significant amounts of iron, which makes them more resistant to rust and corrosion. This characteristic sets them apart from ferrous metals, which are highly prone to oxidation. Non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminium, lead, nickel, tin, zinc and alloys like brass and bronze. Due to their varied applications across all industries and the prices paid by scrap metal merchants, understanding non-ferrous metal is particularly beneficial for customers looking to sell scrap metal in Addington.
Knowing the distinctions between non-ferrous and ferrous scrap metal often increases the value of a consignment. Phoenix Scrap Metals provides useful guidance and a collection service that makes sorting and selling non-ferrous scrap both efficient and profitable for those who use us for collections.
Identifying non-ferrous scrap metal in a consignment is relatively easy.
Copper remains one of the most valuable non-ferrous scrap metals due to its widespread use in electrical wiring, plumbing and manufacturing processes. When identifying copper in a scrap consignment, look for its distinct reddish-brown colour and the green patina it develops over time when exposed to air and moisture. A patina does not affect what scrap metal merchants pay.
In fact, scrap copper, even when tarnished, is still a highly desirable material in Addington’s scrap metal market. Conducting a magnet test is useful due to copper being non-magnetic, unlike ferrous metals that contain iron.
Aluminium is another highly recyclable non-ferrous metal, and it is frequently found in consignments holding beverage cans, window frames and car parts. Our customers in Addington can identify aluminium by its lightweight nature and silvery appearance. Unlike ferrous metals, aluminium does not corrode easily and is non-magnetic. This makes it very easy to pick out and separate.
When adding aluminium to a consignment, it is beneficial to separate it from heavier metals like steel so that Phoenix Scrap Metals can process materials more efficiently. This means you benefit from a higher return on its value.
Brass and bronze, both alloys involving copper, can be commonly found in a range of fittings, musical instruments and decorative items. Brass has a bright, yellowish tone due to its zinc content, while bronze (with its mix of copper and tin) has a deeper brown hue. These metals are valuable additions to a non-ferrous scrap metal consignment due to their durability and broad use. Visual checks and a magnet test can help you to identify these alloys.
Neither will be attracted to a magnet.
Addington-based customers should take care to differentiate between brass and bronze, and other less valuable metals, when assembling consignments. This attention to detail ensures that Phoenix Scrap Metals can offer you a fair and competitive price for each material that you have collected.
The preparation and organisation of non-ferrous scrap metals enhance the efficiency of a collection and valuation service provided by Phoenix Scrap Metals. For consignments in Addington, this means ensuring that metals are best clean and sorted before collection. By doing so, clients can avoid lower valuations that might occur due to contamination or mixed materials.
For those who are new to the process, Phoenix Scrap Metals provides advice and support to help identify and separate non-ferrous material from ferrous metal. This service benefits both seasoned scrappers and those simply looking to declutter a site while making a profit from their unwanted materials.
Very few scrap metal merchants can match our personable approach.
Phoenix Scrap Metals is committed to supporting Addington’s community by offering collections and the ethical processing of non-ferrous scrap metals. Recognising metals like copper, aluminium, brass and bronze can significantly impact the value of a consignment. For clients in Addington, separating non-ferrous metals and understanding their unique properties ensures a seamless and rewarding experience when dealing with local scrap metal merchants.
For more information or to schedule a collection, prospective customers in all Addington areas are encouraged to choose Phoenix Scrap Metals, where our experience leads to reliable service and 100% customer satisfaction.