If you’re interested in scrap metal recycling with Morecambe Metals, then you may benefit from knowing which types of metal are most valuable. This can help you gain a better understanding of how much you can expect to receive from your scrap metal and may influence which metals you decide to sell with us.
In this blog, we’ll give a detailed overview of which metals are most valuable and give some tips on how to identify these different types of scrap metal, so you know exactly what to expect.
Types of Scrap Metal
Copper
Copper is one of the most valuable forms of scrap metal due to its multitude of purposes within a variety of industries. Typically found in wires and piping, this metal is versatile and a highly sought-after resource that makes it sell for higher amounts. Copper is favoured for both its heat resistance and electrical conductivity and can even be commonly found around the house.
Aluminium
Aluminium is found in a range of everyday items, from cans to kitchen foil, and is an easily identifiable, lightweight metal that serves a range of purposes. Despite being lightweight, aluminium is strong and corrosion-resistant which often makes it valuable for selling.
Brass
Brass used to be used in older vehicles and household items, and of course is found in many musical instruments. Its anti-corrosive and durable properties make it a valuable metal to sell, and it can be used to create taps, handles, and even lamps.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is commonly found in medical instruments, cutlery, and kitchen appliances and is favoured because of its corrosion resistance and sleek appearance. Depending on the exact makeup of the stainless steel, it can often sell for a high amount because of its versatility and durable features.
Lead
Lead is a metal that is frequently in demand because of its limited supply, making it a valuable scrap metal. It is still used in many batteries, including car batteries, and can be recycled indefinitely without any reduction in quality.
How Do We Determine the Value of Scrap Metals?
There are several factors we consider when valuing the metals we receive. The values of different scrap metals can fluctuate over time for a variety of reasons, and this ultimately influences our pricing system. Here are some things we consider when determining the value of different scrap metals:
- Amount: This is a self-explanatory point, but the more you have of a certain metal, the more we will be able to offer you. This is primarily because the metal-melting services we use can give us fairer prices if provided with bulk amounts of material, which in turn allows us to provide you with better prices.
- Condition: If your scrap metal is clean and sorted, then we tend to offer a better price than mixed scrap or scrap containing impurities. Metal that has encountered contamination and rust or requires deconstruction in the recycling process is often less valuable.
- Supply and Demand: A fluctuating factor that contributes to metal prices is the global supply and demand of a particular metal. For instance, a metal that is widely available and has a low demand will sell for less than those in low supply, such as lead. This fluctuates due to industry needs and changes, so you should perform some research on the current demand for your metal to get a better idea of the price you could be offered for it.
How to Identify Valuable Scrap Metals
If you’re looking to deposit your scrap metal but are unsure what metal, you have or how much it’s worth, then these simple steps can help you in the identification process.
Colour: Some valuable metals can be identified by simply looking at their colour. This mainly involves getting rid of paint or rust to see its true colour, but it might be worth it to reveal whether your metal has some value. Here are some valuable metals and their corresponding colours:
- Copper – red
- Aluminium – white-silver
- Brass – yellow, gold-like
- Stainless Steel – silver
- Lead – dull grey
Magnetism: If you have access to a magnet, this can be a great way to identify which metal you own. Ferrous metals (those that contain iron) tend to be magnetic, so if the magnet sticks to the metal, it’s most likely an iron alloy. If the magnet doesn’t stick, it’s probably a non-magnetic metal like brass or aluminium.
Oxidation: Certain metals are prone or resistant to oxidation, so this can help to discover which metal you’re in possession of. Copper and bronze develop a green colour when exposed to oxygen, iron alloys can turn a rusty red colour, whereas materials like stainless steel will retain their original colour.
Weight: A simple test on the scales can help you to determine which metal you have. For instance, aluminium tends to be lighter than most other metals, whereas copper and brass are heavier.
Fair Metal Pricing with Morecambe Metals
Whether you’re looking to recycle copper, brass, or other metals, we have a streamlined and effective process for determining scrap metal value here at Morecambe Metals. We offer competitive and fair prices for metals, in addition to a scrap metal collection service for those in the Lancashire, Cumbria, and Southern Scotland areas. If you’re looking to sell your metal with Morecambe Metals, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information.