Day

February 16, 2018

The Value of Metal Recycling in the Copper and Brass Sales Industry

It is no secret that we are running out of space inside landfills. The more we consume, the more we throw away and this just creates more waste. Although the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle has been taught to us from a young age, many still do not see the value in adapting this lifestyle. Now that people and businesses are realizing the value of sustainability and eco-friendly practices recycling is becoming a norm.

Recycling Copper Pipes Helps Make Copper and Brass Sales Sustainable

The copper and brass sales industry is not far behind. Why? Because there are so many benefits to scrap metal recycling. Here are the best of them:

Management of Limited Resources

Metals are abiotic natural resources that are harvested, processed, and turned into different everyday objects. Sometimes the processing of these metals makes us forget that the earth is running low on natural resources. When resources start to dwindle, products become more expensive. However, when precious metals and alloys like copper and brass are recycled, the resources are not consumed but reused, making them more sustainable and affordable.

Conservation of Energy

The processing of raw materials like metal requires the use of a lot of energy because they are steps like turning pure metal into an alloy that consume energy. When alloys are recycled they are still processed but the amount of energy and carbon emissions used is significantly less. To get a better idea, here is how much energy is saved during the process of recycling versus using virgin ores:

  • 92% of energy is saved for aluminum processing
  • 90% for copper processing
  • About 56% for steel

That is a lot of energy saved and the carbon footprint of manufacturers are cut down significantly, meaning you can rest easy knowing you are also cutting down on your own carbon footprint.

Better for the Economy

The manpower required to incinerate metals gives a few people a chance to get a job. Since the process isn’t very complicated, not many employees are needed. In the metal recycling business, things are very different. More people are required to complete the entire recycling process from start to finish, which results in a significantly higher employment rate. In fact, it is estimated that the scrap metal and recycling industry employs millions of people and is worth more than $200 billion annually, which is a great boost for the economy.

Earn and Save Money Simultaneously

Consumers benefit largely from recycling scrap metal. How? First, prices of alloys and metals are significantly brought down when recycled materials are used. This gives consumers a chance to save on their initial expenses. Second is the money consumers can earn when they themselves sell the metals to scrap yards. Copper is the most commonly sold metal, but everything from aluminum to high-quality steel will generate a bit of cash when recycled.

About Rotax Metals:It is important to note that not all metal suppliers value the importance of sustainability. You should instead rely on the good people of Rotax Metals. The company has been tirelessly working to provide clients with high-quality and eco-friendly materials since 1948. Greener and sustainable practices aside, their aim is to provide the rare and complicated metal pieces upon request. You will have no trouble finding what you need with the help of Rotax Metals.

Sources:

Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling, CalgaryMetal.com
Five Reasons to Recycle your Metal, TYBurnMetal.co.uk

Types of Brass for Sale Today, Their Properties, and Unique Uses

Brass pipes and tubes are mostly used as plumbing fixtures for residential and commercial buildings. They belong to the C360 or free cutting brass classification. The properties that make free cutting brass the most popular for everyday architecture include corrosion resistance, ease of soldering and brazing, machinability, and availability.

Aside from C360 brass alloy, there are a lot more types of brass for sale in today’s market. Here are some of those types, what are the differences in composition, and their intended uses:

A Piece of Brass for Sale Being Processed with Precision and Care

Leaded Brass – This type of brass alloy, also known as C353, has a varying amount of copper and zinc content. What makes it stand out, though, is the addition of lead. By adding a small amount of this element the alloy gets excellent machinability and added durability making it a very popular choice for many metal users.

Naval Brass – Also known as C464 in the metal industry, naval brass is made of 59% copper, 40% zinc, and 1% tin. The 1% may not seem much, but when it comes to alloy composition this is a very significant number. As the name suggests, naval brass is used for maritime applications. The addition of tin makes the brass alloy extremely durable with heightened resistance to corrosion, even when constantly exposed to saltwater.

Rich Low Brass – Another common type of brass is the rich low brass or “Tombac”. This brass alloy contains around 15 – 20% zinc and the rest of the composition is usually copper giving it a nice gold-like shine. This type of brass is most commonly used in jewelry making.

Red Brass – Also known as gunmetal, red brass is considered as both brass and bronze. The typical 85% copper, 5% zinc, 5% lead, and 5% tin composition qualifies it as a brass alloy, and yet it can also be quickly identified as bronze by its dark red color. However, sometimes red brass is also considered a special type of copper alloy when it contains 14 – 16% zinc, plus 0.05% trace amounts of iron and lead, and the rest is copper. It takes an expert eye to distinguish special copper alloys from regular brass alloys.

Yellow Brass – This type of brass alloy contains 33% zinc and 67% copper, which is why it has a lighter color. The most common uses for this alloy are for exposed pipes, handrails, and other fixtures due to its ductility, strength, and gold-like appearance.

The above-mentioned brass types are just some of the many varieties of brass that are available on the market. Most certainly, there is a type of brass available for every need and project. You just know where and how to find them. Going to a trusted supplier like Rotax Metals can be a good option.

Sources:

Brass Specifications Table Chart Review, EngineersEdge.com
Brass Alloys and Their Chemical Composition, ThoughtCo.com

Product categories