The list displayed here is really a general description of items, metals & alloys which we commonly purchase from our clients and customers. If you would like more detailed descriptions of these and other items, please contact us directly by phone at 905-612-1288 or you can email us at info(at)peelscrapmetalrecycling.com
Click on any of the links below for more detailed information.
Aluminum
Aluminum in its pure form is a silver white metal which is light, non-toxic, non-magnetic and will not spark. When combined with various amounts of copper, magnesium, silicon, manganese and other elements it forms alloys with very useful properties for specific applications. Some common forms of aluminum are:
Aluminum Extrusion
Found in structural and architectural applications such as window and door frames and screen doors.
Painted Aluminum
Either flat-rolled or shaped, it would be most commonly recognized as painted siding, gutters and downspouts.
Mixed Low Copper
Clean, uncoated, unpainted low copper aluminum scrap usually in the form of clips or plate. It should be free of plastic and any punchings should be segregated.
Cast Aluminum
Is a silicon alloy that can be identified by a rough, grainy texture when broken. Barbecue lids and bottoms and some automotive parts are made from aluminum castings. It should be free of iron, dirt, brass and other non-metallic items.
Aluminum Wheels
These should be clean, unplated and free of all inserts, steel, valve stems, wheel weights and tires.
Aluminum Turnings
These consist of clean, uncorroded borings and turnings that are free of dirt, iron, oil, moisture and all other non-metallic items.
COPPER
Copper is one of the first metals used by man and is easily identified by its reddish colour and bright metallic luster. It is malleable, ductile and a great conductor of heat and electricity. Most commonly it is recognized in plumbing and electrical applications.
Number 1 Brite Copper
Is copper wire that is at least 16 gauge, has no insulation and no tarnish or coating whatsoever. It should be kept separate from other forms of copper as it is generally bought and sold at a premium.
Number 1 Copper
Copper tubing, tarnished wire of at least 16 gauge or solids that are free of other material such as paint, solder, insulation and attachments.
Number 2 Copper
This grade of copper primarily includes copper tubing that is either oxidized or has paint or solder, copper castings, hair or fine gauge wire and wire that is burnt, tinned, lacquered or shellacked. Insulation and attachments should be removed.
Copper Turnings
Brass
An alloy of copper and zinc, it is one of the most frequently purchased metals. The proportions of copper and zinc are varied to create quite a number of different grades. Often, lead, tin or other metals are added to the alloy in small amounts to enhance the machinability of the metal, to assist in further resisting corrosion or to make the alloy harder and easier to forge.
Yellow Brass
The most common type of brass it is used in plumbing and to make musical instruments, hardware, ornaments, keys and plaques.
Taps and Faucets
The brass found in taps and faucets is generally designed for non-corrosive, low pressure applications. It may be chrome plated or housed in plastic or zinc enclosures.
Hard Brass
Harder than other brasses, it is used for bushings and liner applications.
Red Brass
More reddish in colour due to a higher copper content, it is found as valves, machinery bearings and parts.
Brass Turnings
Consist of turnings from various brass alloys. They should be free of aluminum, oil, moisture, iron or other contaminants.
Insulated Wire
With the wide variety of electrical applications in today’s world, there are quite a number of different grades of insulated wire. It is the weight of the copper, or aluminum, recovered from the wire, less the cost of removing it, which will determine how the wire is valued at market price for the metal. Some common forms of insulated wire are:
Number 1 Insulated Wire
Copper wire that is at least 16 gauge with no coating on the copper wire such as laquer, shellac
or tin.
Number 2 Insulated Wire
Copper wire that is less than 16 gauge or has a tinned, laquered or shellac coating.
Communications Wire
Plastic outer casing with number 2 insulated wires inside.
Bx
Aluminum outer casing with Number 1 insulated wires inside.
House Wire
Plastic outer casing with number 1 Romex insulated wires inside.
Tek Cable
Plastic outer casing over aluminum armour with cables of number 1 insulated wire inside. The insulated wire may be of various sizes.
Coreflex
Plastic outer casing over aluminum armour, inside of which, is another plastic casing with copper at the centre. The copper may be of various sizes.
RADIATORS
We purchase a number of different types of radiators, the most common of which are automotive radiators, aluminum radiators, aluminum/copper radiators and heater cores. In all cases, the fluids and gases should be properly removed and to reach their full value, the radiators should be free of plastic, steel, rubber and other contaminants.
Auto Radiators
Mixed Auto Radiators consisting of brass and copper.
Aluminum Radiators
Aluminum/Copper Radiators
Commonly found in air conditioning units, these radiators have aluminum fins and copper tubes.
Heater Cores
STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless Steel is the most common of the nickel and high temperature alloys which we purchase. The various series of stainless steel are comprised mainly of nickel, chrome and iron and are valued for their non-corrosive nature. While stainless steel is used in many different applications, it is most familiar in the food, chemical, medical and auto industries.
304 Stainless Steel
Also known as 18/8 (18% chrome and 8% nickel) it is the most common grade. It should be four foot and under and free of other metals and contaminants. There are many other grades of 300 series stainless steel.
Nickel
May be in the form of sheet, plate, bar, tubes and any other wrought nickel scrap solids that are at least 99% nickel.
Cupro Nickel
This is a copper/nickel alloy, which may be in the form of tube, pipe, sheet, plate or other wrought solids that are either 70/30, 80/20 or 90/10 alloys.
Nickel Alloys
While there are many types of nickel alloys, some of the most common are Inconel, 330 Stainless Steel, Hastalloy and Monel.
Stainless Turnings
ZINC DIE CAST
Although zinc is not very common in its pure form, it is often alloyed with other metals and formed into cast, which is used in the automotive industry, for lamps, grills, tools and other products. Sometimes mistaken for aluminum, it has a darker gray colour and a heavier specific gravity.
LEAD
Soft Mixed Lead
Consists of clean, soft lead free of drosses, battery plates, lead covered cables, foil or other contaminants.
ELECTRIC MOTORS
Whole electric motors and/or motor parts that are copper wound with no excessive steel attachments such as gear reducers, iron bases, pumps or compressors.
TRANSFORMERS
These must be dry with no oil or PCB’s and have copper windings around a steel core.
BALLASTS
Commonly found in fluorescent light fixtures, they should contain no PCBs.
END-OF-LIFE ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
EOL electronic products are electronic products that are either obsolete or no longer useful to their current users. While they consequently lack any market value to their owners, they can be de-manufactured into metallic and non-metallic material that can be reused or recycled and thereby returned to use in the form of raw materials or products.
STEEL
No. 1 Heavy Melt
Wrought iron and steel scrap that is one quarter of an inch and over in thickness with individual pieces not exceeding sixty inches by twenty four inches.
No. 2 Heavy Melt
Wrought iron and steel scrap, black and galvanized, that is 1/8” of an inch and over in thickness with individual pieces not exceeding sixty inches by twenty four inches.
New Black Sheet Clips
These clips have a maximum size of eight feet by eighteen inches and a thickness of one eighth of an inch and under. They should be free of coatings, old automobile body and fender stock.
Mixed Clips
May include new black and galvanized sheet metal with a thickness of one eighth of an inch and under and a size not to exceed eight feet by eighteen inches.
Prepared Plate & Structural
Cut structural and plate scrap that is four feet by twenty four inches and under and not less than one quarter of an inch in thickness. It includes clean steel plates, structural shapes, crop ends and shearings.
Cast Iron
Clean, cast iron scrap including columns, pipe, plates and castings.It’s size should not exceed twenty four inches by thirty inches.
Shredding Material
Under one quarter of an inch in thickness, it would include old sheet, auto parts and miscellaneous scrap steel.
ITEMS WE ACCEPT WITH CONDITIONS
Although this list is not a comprehensive one, it provides some guidelines to frequently asked questions regarding certain items we accept with conditions.
If you have an item that does not appear on this list, our staff are available to answer your questions and to discuss any concerns you might have.
BALLASTS AND CAPACITORS
If labeled ‘No PCBs’ or if documentation supports acceptable levels.
BATTERIES
Lead or gel acid batteries including automobile batteries stationary batteries and steel clad forklift batteries.
BARRELS AND DRUMS
Must be clean and dry, bear no hazardous warning labels, contain no residue and tops must be removed for inspection.
CYLINDERS FOR COMPRESSED OR LIQUEFIED GASES, TANKS
Valves must be removed and cylinders and tanks cut in half.
LIGHTING FIXTURES
Ballasts, capacitors & bulbs must be removed
SCRAP CONTAINING ASBESTOS
Asbestos must be removed in compliance with applicable regulations
SCRAP CONTAINING FLUIDS
Fluids, including cutting oils, fuels, coolants, antifreeze, hydraulic oils and solvents, should be drained prior to delivery.
SHELLS AND MUNITIONS
Must be separated from other material and fully spent
TRANSFORMERS
Must be either dry or drained and properly documented
ITEMS WE DON’T ACCEPT
The reason some items are not accepted is that we are not set up to handle them in a safe and responsible manner. We can assist in referring you to facilities which can properly handle those items we do not accept.
AUTOMOBILES
NON-LEAD ACID BATTERIES
HAZARDOUS OR TOXIC WASTE
As defined by federal, provincial or municipal laws.
MAGNESIUM TURNINGS
RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
POP CANS
MERCURY
Including instruments, switches and measuring devices that contain mercury.
SCRAP CONTAINING NON-METALLIC
RECYCLABLES OR EXCESSIVE TRASH
