Guiding Practices of Scrap Metal Recycling

Scrap metal recycling has significant benefits to the environment, manufacturers and consumers. Besides environmental benefits, metal recycling has significant economic advantages, such as reduced manufacturing costs. While metal recycling is not a complex process, recyclers are aware that things do not always go according to plan. The metal recycling segment has guiding practices and standards that recyclers must abide by to ensure safe and efficient processes. This post explores guiding practices of metal recycling. 

Take Longer Measurements 

Sorting different types of metals is a critical part of the metal recycling process, especially for alloys since they comprise various components. Notably, metal recyclers use a metal analyser or tester to sort their loads. However, some metal alloys have close specifications and might display a match during the sorting process. It usually happens when you use a metal tester on a metal alloy for a few seconds. To guarantee accurate readings on an analyser, take longer readings. Letting a tester read a metal alloy for a few more seconds allows for a thorough analysis of all the components present. Thus, recyclers can accurately sort scrap metal before proceeding.

Clean Analyser Screen after Each Reading

As mentioned earlier, metal analysers are helpful in metal recycling as far as sorting goes. However, one issue that recyclers continue to experience with handheld metal testers is their fragile display screens. If you press a metal analyser on the sharp edges of scrap metals, the chances are high that the screen will break. The resulting damage leads to costly repairs and delayed metal recycling. Besides, metal shavings on the screen might lead to false concentration readings. Therefore, always hold a metal tester close to but not in contact with metal. Additionally, always clean a metal analyser screen after every reading to prevent the transfer of metal shavings in subsequent analyses.

Grind Scrap Metal Clean

Coatings, plating and residual paintwork work against you when identification and recycling scrap metal. The last thing any recycler wants is to mistake a metal for what it is not. For instance, iron with nickel coating might present as pure nickel on an analyser. Similarly, paint and corrosion can lead to metal misidentification since they interfere with chemistry readings. Thus, recyclers should grind scrap metal to remove any surface coatings. It leaves the metal bare, making recycling easy, safe and efficient.

If you want to learn more about this process, contact a metal recycling service.


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