The main difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal
Ferrous scrap is iron-based alloys: steel, cast iron, rebar, pipes, car bodies, appliances. Non-ferrous scrap is copper, aluminium, brass, bronze, stainless steel, lead, titanium and other metals without an iron base. Non-ferrous metals cost tens of times more per kilogram than ferrous ones.
How to tell ferrous metal from non-ferrous
The simplest way is a magnet. Ferrous metal (steel, cast iron) is attracted to a magnet; most non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminium, brass) are not.
Examples of ferrous scrap
Steel rebar, pipes, channel, angle iron
Car bodies and parts
Old appliances: refrigerators, washing machines, radiators
Non-ferrous metals are more expensive to mine and produce, require more energy to process, and have high demand in industry — from electronics to aerospace.
What to do with mixed scrap
If your batch has both ferrous and non-ferrous metal, be sure to separate them before selling — otherwise the whole batch will likely be valued at the ferrous metal price.
The simplest check is a magnet — ferrous metal is attracted, most non-ferrous metals are not.
Non-ferrous metal is worth many times more, sometimes tens of times more per kilogram.
Stainless steel is classified as non-ferrous, though some alloys are slightly magnetic.
Yes, definitely — otherwise the whole batch may be valued at the lower ferrous price.