IME recycles a large range of ferrous, non-ferrous, alloy, and precious metals. From metal punchings to twenty-ton machines, we buy scrap metal of all sizes in various conditions.

Ferrous

Ferrous metals are the most recycled metal in the United States. Old or obsolete ferrous scrap is often reclaimed from steel structures, vehicles, industrial equipment, and the like.

Due to their high iron content, ferrous metals are durable with high tensile strength, making them ideal for heavy-load construction projects. The most common ferrous scrap metals are carbon steel, wrought iron, cast iron, and alloy steel.

If you’re not sure if your scrap is ferrous or non-ferrous, hold a magnet to it. Almost all ferrous metals are magnetic.

Common types of ferrous scrap metal we buy:

  • Cast Iron
  • Machine Shop Turnings
  • Heavy Melt Steel
  • Rotors
  • Iron
  • Structural Steel

Non-Ferrous

Some of the most commonly recycled non-ferrous metals are aluminum, stainless steel, and copper. Since non-ferrous metals do not contain a significant amount of iron, they are used more for their pliability and resistance to rust and corrosion. That also means they are not magnetic.

You can tell if your metal is non-ferrous by testing its pliability or simply looking at whether it’s shinier (not corroded) than other scrap metals. An even easier way to tell is the magnetic test. If the magnet doesn’t stick, it’s non-ferrous.

Common types of non-ferrous scrap metal we buy:

  • Aluminum Breakage
  • Aluminum Cans (UBC)
  • Aluminum Old Sheet
  • Aluminum Wheels & Rims
  • Copper Solids
  • Copper Insulated Wire
  • Electric Motors
  • Stainless Steel

Precious Metals

Recycling of precious metals has dramatically increased in recent decades due to the rise of electronic devices. Historically, precious metals have been used in jewelry, coins, and art, which tend to be passed on through generations, not recycled.

However, you can now find a variety of precious metals in electronic devices, communications arrays, and automotive and aerospace equipment.

Please contact us today to learn more about the precious metals we buy at IME.