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Common Types Of Scrap Metal & Their Uses: A Brief Guide

Updated: Sep 13, 2023

As we all endure the climate emergency of the 21st century, recycling and sustainable waste management has become a top priority. Recycling helps us to conserve our finite resources whilst limiting the processes of manufacturing that emit harmful greenhouse gases. As such, most households, public buildings and businesses now aim to recycle large quantities of their waste.


Metals are a key material that can be commonly recycled, where these fall into two categories - ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals contain iron quantities, where examples include steel and cast or wrought iron. Non-ferrous metals are rarer, where these tend to have a better resistance to corrosion. Examples include copper, aluminium and zinc as well as alloys such as brass.


Both kinds can be scrapped, recycled and repurposed to form new metal products - read on to learn more about some of these common metal types and how we use them in the modern world.



Copper piping


Aluminium

Aluminium is a versatile low density material that forms an oxide layer when exposed to oxygenated air. It is commonly found in both household items such as cans and foil as well as products on an industrial scale such as aeroplane machinery parts.


Copper

Copper is known as a pinkish-orange malleable metal which benefits from having high electrical conductivity. As such it is particularly useful for electrical equipment and wiring as a conductor of both heat and electricity. It can also be used for various construction and industrial applications.


Brass

This metal is an alloy of zinc and copper, where these materials are present in different kinds of brass in various quantities. It can be used for a wide range of products according to the properties of the alloy, such as door locks, plumbing parts and musical instruments such as bells and horns.


Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a common iron alloy that is particularly resistant to corrosion and rust. As such it can be used for a range of applications where a hard wearing material is required, where examples include cutlery, kitchen sinks, surgical instruments and implants.


Newbery Recycling: Scrap Metal Services In Taunton & Bridgewater

Whether you’re looking to dispose of brass, steel or aluminium scrap in Bridgewater or further afield in North Devon, look no further than Newbery Recycling, where we can take all these metals and more at our scrap metal yard.


In addition to this, we also offer extensive plastic and cardboard recycling services to help you repurpose your waste and reduce your contribution to landfill. Contact us directly today to find out more about our work.

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