The Top 4 Most Valuable Ferrous Scrap Metals
According to the British Metals Recycling Association, 10 million tonnes of scrap metal is recycled per year in the UK. But, which is the best type of metal to recycle? The team at Kas Metal Trading has put together the following guide on the top 4 most valuable ferrous scrap metals to help you find out!
Stainless Steel
One of the most valuable ferrous scrap metals, stainless steel contains chromium, giving the material excellent corrosion resistance and durability. Commonly used in kitchen appliances, cutlery, medical instruments and construction materials – stainless steel can be found in many forms, including sheets, pipes and appliances.
As with all scrap metal, the value depends on its grade (its composition and properties). Clean, unalloyed stainless steel scrap is worth more than contaminated or mixed grades. Higher grades of stainless steel often have a higher chromium and nickel content, pushing the metal into high demand due to its versatile properties.
Carbon Steel
With carbon as the main alloying element, carbon steel is widely used in the manufacturing sector, due to its high strength and low-cost.
There are four grades of carbon steel, categorised by their chemical composition and mechanical properties, including:
- Low carbon steel (otherwise known as mild steel) – ductile and malleable, making it ideal for welding, construction and manufacturing applications.
- Medium carbon steel – a stronger and more brittle version of low carbon steel, often used in machinery components, automotive parts and building frames.
- High carbon steel – an even stronger and more brittle grade of carbon steel, used for high-strength applications such as knife blades, hand tools and springs.
- Ultra high carbon steel – can be tempered to great hardness, making it ideal for special-use applications such as (non-industrial) knives, axles and punches.
Because steel weighs more than lightweight non-ferrous metals, such as copper and aluminium, weighing in carbon steel at our local scrapyard can make for a nice pay day!
Alloy Steel
Technically speaking, all types of steel are alloys made using iron and carbon. But, to be considered an alloy steel, the metal must contain one or more other elements in addition to iron and carbon. The reason behind making alloy steel is to create a metal with greater strength, workability and corrosion resistance.
Widely used within the construction industry, alloy steels are used to create a huge range of products, including girders, bars, pipes, plates, sheets, rods, beams and much more. Although it is an alloyed metal, clean alloy steel is typically sold for a higher price due to its enhanced properties.
Cast Iron
As the name suggests, cast iron is a grade of ferrous metal that has been heated and poured into a cast mould to form a specific shape. Commonly found in household items, such as pots, pans, gutters and drainpipes – cast iron is easy to come by. But that doesn’t make it any less valuable!
Factors such as the weight and condition of your scrap cast iron may affect the price you are quoted.
Ferrous Scrap Metal Prices
The quality, quantity and grade of your ferrous scrap will impact the price received when trading. However, because our scrap yard uses the latest in metal analysis systems, you can rest assured you’ll always receive the best price for your scrap metal.
That’s not to mention, our pricing strategy at Kas is based on the world centre for industrial metal hedging, trading and pricing – the London Metal Exchange (LME).
This strategy allows us to follow industry-best practices and offer the most competitive, fair and accurate scrap metal prices on the market – scrap metal prices that are able to fluctuate alongside the rise and fall of supply and demand.
For an in-depth guide to the LME, please click here.
Ferrous Scrap Metal Recycling For Trade
Here at Kas Metal, we understand the need for a quick, reliable and straightforward service. Especially for those who work in a trade.
That’s why, if you bring your scrap metal to us before 4pm, we can guarantee you a same-day payment! Can’t get it to us before 4pm? No problem – we’ll simply pay you the following day.
While our services are suited to the following tradespeople, we welcome all customers to our local scrap yard, no matter the quality or quantity of their scrap metal:
Recycle Your Ferrous Scrap With Kas
Now you’re clued up on the most valuable ferrous scrap metals, if you have any ferrous scrap lying around, why not visit our local scrap metal buyers to trade it in for some cash, do your bit for the environment and carry less weight to your next job?
Give us a call, email or visit our local scrapyard today. We are based in Atherton so we can also service the following areas: Preston, Leigh, Wigan, Tyldesley, Bolton, Worsley, Lancashire, Chorley, Westhoughton and Salford. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest company updates and industry news.
