Article by World Metal Recycling
Metals have been more or less taken for granted by mankind. This is especially true of non-precious metals like iron, copper, aluminum, etc. However we need to understand that just like all resources that the planet Earth offers, metals too are limited. So it makes sense if we make efforts to recycle them.
And when it comes to metals, there is a major advantage that as compared to other materials, metals can be recycled any number of times without any change in their properties. The commercial advantage of metal recycling is the fact that the energy and cost required in recycling a specific quantum of metals is far less than what is required to process the same quantum afresh.
Let us now look at the broad steps that are followed in the process of metal recycling
Collection: Metal to be recycled often comes in the form of scrap. Scrap metal refers to remaining metal from defective or abandoned metal objects ranging from small appliances to large objects such as cars, ships and aeroplanes. The thing to understand about scrap is that it is mostly in rough form and can often contain a mixture of few metals. There are instances when there are specialized agencies involved in the collection process. Therefore the process of Collection involves a lot of logistics and timely decision making.
Sorting: The next important step is ‘sorting’ in which scrap metal is segregated as per metal type. Ferrous scrap is separated from non-ferrous. This step is very important as the further process of metal recycling is carried out as per the scrap metal type.
Shredding: Once the various metals have been separated, they are fed into a large machine that shreds the scrap into tiny pieces. This process is important as the shredded scrap is easier to transport and process.
Melting: The shredded metal is transported to smelting facilities where it is melted using giant furnaces. The molted metal is now poured into casters or billets to form ingots of specific sizes and weights as per requirement. The metal ingots can at times weigh as much as hundreds of tons each.
Fabrication: The metal ingots take time to cool and harden, after which they are rolled into flat sheets using specialized machines. These sheets form the base for new metals and can be conveniently shipped to plants and factories for creating all types of finished products such as machines, cars, appliances, building materials, ships and planes.
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