In the world of recycling, product condition is often a key factor in determining the recycling market. Wet paper and broken glass are examples of discolored products that are typically picked up by recyclers.
But what about rusty scrap metal? If you’re trying to recycle metal furniture or car parts that were left outside, they’re probably covered in rust. Let’s take a closer look at the effect rust has on scrap metal.
What is rust?
Rust occurs when iron reacts with oxygen from water or moisture to form iron oxide. This is actually a combustion reaction minus the flame that occurs in a fire.
Rust appears on the metal surface as a reddish-brown color and feels rough to the touch. Metals that rust in water, such as bridge pillars, react with chloride and appear green.
Rust requires iron, so it only occurs on metals that contain iron, such as iron. Aluminum cans will not rust no matter how long they are soaked in water. Steel is a key metal in engineering and manufacturing, so it is used in many areas around the house and in the garden. These include furniture, auto parts, nails and screws, tin cans, etc.
Rust on metal can be removed using household items such as lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, and steel wool. Alternatively, you can purchase chemicals to remove rust. You can also pre-coat the metal to prevent rust.
If rust is left untreated, the entire metal of the product may corrode and become pitted, reducing the strength of the product. You probably don’t want to sit in a chair or ride a bike with holes in the frame.
rust and recycling
When iron is first extracted from the earth, it is in an oxidized form known as ore. The smelting process breaks the bonds formed by oxygen and iron, allowing it to be refined into metals like steel. To recycle rusted metal, it must be deoxygenated again.
The steel recycling process involves shredding the material and melting it down to create new metal sheets. If the rust is simply melted, it will form again when the metal cools. Therefore, the recycling process also includes refining, where elements such as carbon can be added to combine with oxygen and liberate iron. This will also remove other impurities such as ink and dried paint.
However, just because it is rusty, can Even though they may be removed during recycling, there are still some factors that can influence the rusted steel market.
- Most metal scrapyards charge by weight, and metal that is severely damaged by rust will weigh less.
- Scrap metal must be made mostly of metal to be accepted for recycling, so if your product is half metal and half plastic, and the metal is corroded, it may not be accepted as scrap metal. there is.
Tips for recycling rusted metal
If you’re cleaning out a garage or warehouse full of metal, you’ll likely find lots of metal items that can be recycled. Here are some tips to consider.
- First, coat any outdoor metal (fences, lawn furniture, etc.) to prevent rust.
- For reusable products (such as bicycles) with rusty surfaces, natural process to remove rust Then donate the product to a thrift store or charity.
- If the product has large rust such as rust holes, please contact a recycling company to confirm whether it can be recycled before transporting or picking it up.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 4, 2017 and updated in December 2024.
