Classification of Scrap Iron and Steel
Scrap iron and steel is a form of raw material that is recycled by the steel industry to produce new steel products. Iron and steel scrap provides important sources of feedstock to steelmaking plants. Steel scrap is classified as either ferrous or non-ferrous material.
Ferrous scrap is composed of iron and is the predominant type of steel scrap in the United States. Ferrous scrap is generated by industrial manufacturers, housholds, construction sites, automotive repair shops, and demolition sources. Ferrous scrap can be classified into three forms: (1) sheared, (2) shredded, and (3) unshredded (aka No. 2 Heavy Melt). Sheared scrap is usually in the form of turnings and trimmings from industrial machining operations and can be large or small castings, small forgings, or pipes. Shredded scrap consists of particles that are shredded from automobiles, appliances, and other ferrous materials. It is the most popular form of scrap for the steel industry. Unshredded scrap is typically composed of larger pieces of scrap such as plate and structurals from demolition or construction sites.
Nonferrous scrap is composed of metals other than iron such as copper, aluminum, zinc, lead, stainless steel, and nickel alloys. Nonferrous scrap is generated by industrial manufacturers, automotive repair shops, and demolition sources. Nonferrous scrap can be classified into five forms: (1) Unalloyed Metal Shred, (2) Copper Scrap, (3) Aluminum Scrap, (4) Stainless Steel Scrap, and (5) High Temperature Alloy Scrap. Unalloyed Metal Shred is composed of a variety of metals and metals alloys but primarily copper and aluminum. Copper scrap can be classified into three forms - bare bright, mill-berry, and automotive copper. Aluminum scrap can be classified into three forms - extrusion, sheet, and auto body. Stainless steel scrap can be classified into two forms - 304 and 316 stainless steel. High temperature alloys include nickel, titanium, and cobalt alloys.
The reuse of scrap iron and steel is an important factor in the steel industry. By recycling and reusing these materials, steel mills are able to reduce their production costs, conserve energy, and reduce their emissions of air pollutants. Furthermore, steel scrap plays a key role in helping the industry meet its product quality, safety, and environmental goals. For all these reasons, the proper classification and collection of scrap iron and steel is vital to the steel industry.
