What is scrap metal recycling?
Scrap metal recycling refers to the process of recycling of waste metal from industrial manufacturing, shaping, and cutting to be used as raw material to produce new products.
The recycling process usually involves seven steps: Collection, Sorting, Processing, Melting, Purification, Solidification, and Transportation.
1. Collection: Scrap metal is collected from various sources, including industrial facilities, construction sites, demolition projects, household appliances and end-of-life consumer products.
2. Sorting: Once collected, the scrap metal undergoes a sorting process to separate different types of metals (ferrous and non-ferrous) and ensure purity in recycling streams. Magnets are often used to identify and separate ferrous metals, as they are attracted to magnets.
3. Processing: The sorted scrap metal is then processed through mechanical methods such as shredding, cutting, or shearing to reduce its size and facilitate further handling. This step reduces the volume of the material, making it more manageable for further processing.
4. Melting: Non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, and brass, are melted in furnaces at high temperatures. Whereas Ferrous metals, primarily steel and iron, may also go through melting processes in specialized furnaces.
5. Purification: Molten metal is purified to remove impurities and contaminants using the methods fluxing, degassing, and chemical treatments. This is crucial for maintaining the quality of the recycled material.
6. Solidification: The purified metal is then solidified and formed into manageable shapes, such as ingots, billets, or other semi-finished products. This step prepares the recycled metal for use in manufacturing processes.
7. Transportation: Processed and purified metal is transported to manufacturers or fabrication facilities where it will be used to produce new products.
The Pacific Ocean Corporation team covers all these steps for you. With just a click of a button, your scrap will be taken care of.
