Monday 30 March 2015

Recycling Scrap Iron

Scrap metal is defined within two distinct categories: ferrous (containing iron) and non-ferrous (not containing iron). Ferrous metals are strong and durable, such as steel, cast iron, or wrought iron. These metals are used mostly in construction, though their magnetic properties also make them good materials for things like stoves and refrigerators. While ferrous metals are susceptible to rust, non-ferrous are less likely to oxidize, and their malleability and non-magnetic properties make them good choices for things like wiring and electronics. Because of all their different applications, it's important that the two be separated during the recycling process.

1.    Inspection

When scrap metal arrives at a recycling plant, it is screened for radiation before it's even unloaded. If it's clean, it's transported to a conveyor belt, where it's screened an additional time in case any radiation was missed.

2.    Fragmentation
A large piece of machinery called a hammer mill breaks down the scrap metal into pieces the size of your fist and the fragments are shaken down into another conveyor belt.

3.    Separation

Then, a magnetic drum above the conveyor belt attracts any ferrous materials (since ferrous metals are magnetic), and the rest remains below. Any non-metal material is sucked up at this point, so that only metal remains.

4.    Recreation

The ferrous metals are inspected one more time for any problematic materials, and then it's sent to steel mills to be engineered into new steel.

In the end, iron metals have many important applications, and without them, skyscrapers and bridges wouldn’t be nearly as sturdy.

For more information on recycling in San Jose visit this website.

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