What Are The Most Valuable Scrap Metals?

Do you have a bit of metal lying around the house? Perhaps a lead battery? Some copper wire? Maybe even a brass trumpet? Local scrap yards allow you to make a bit of money by trading in your unneeded metal.

Take a magnet and place it on a piece of metal. Does it stick? If yes, that metal is what is known as a ferrous metal. Metals are defined as ferrous when they are primarily composed of iron. Ferrous metals, such as steel and cast iron, generally fetch lower prices at the scrapyard due to iron being so common and difficult to refine. Non-ferrous metals, on the other hand, are less common, more malleable and greatly resistant to corrosion. These are the metals that we will be discussing in this article, as these are the ones that are most valuable to the scrapyard – and to your wallet!

Which Scrap Metals Are The Most Valuable?

1. Copper

Copper contains many useful qualities that make it valuable to a number of industries. Copper is significantly durable and resistant to high temperatures, so is commonly used to make pipes. It is also a great conductor of electricity and so most electrical items will usually host a small amount of copper. A lot of this is found in the wiring, and so scrapping wires can be a good way of recycling copper. Be aware, however, wires will usually contain thick plastic insulation and so the weight of the copper will be much lower than the total weight of the wire.

2. Brass

Unlike copper, brass is an alloy; which means it is comprised of other metals. Brass primarily contains copper and zinc but can sometimes contain other elements as well. The different amounts and types of elements in brass can slightly vary its qualities, meaning it can be used for a variety of purposes. Most commonly, brass is used for its shiny appearance and hence is often found in jewellery and other ornamental items. In addition, brass will often be found in taps and other plumbing components. Brass looks very similar to gold but is much denser and worth much less, so make sure you know the difference before you triumphantly head down to the scrapyard with pound signs in your eyes.

3. Lead

Lead is a bit of a double-edged sword. While its soft, malleable properties make it incredibly versatile and useful to a number of industries, it is also known to be dangerously toxic. Lead is therefore used a lot less frequently where possible, however, can still be found in a lot of car batteries, fishing equipment and even projectiles. Consequently, lead is certainly more difficult to find than it once was, however, its uncommonness means that lead will fetch a relatively high price at the scrapyard – we just recommend you understand the necessary safety precautions before handling it.

4. Aluminium

Aluminium is the third most abundant element on Earth. Most people would presume this would make it one of the most invaluable metals to scrap, however, aluminium is significantly complex and costly to reduce to its metal form. Consequently, the notably lightweight metal commonly found in bike frames, golf clubs and foil can be a great way to make money at a scrapyard.

Here at Hill Metal Recycling, we offer the most competitive prices for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Our 24-hour scrap collection service ensures your metal is recycled professionally and efficiently at a convenient time for you. If you wish to recycle some of your unused metal and make some quick cash, contact our friendly team today.