Metals are separated into one of two basic grades which are referred to in the scrap metal recycling industry as ferrous and nonferrous metals. Once a metal has been identified as one of these types, it is then further categorized into more specific grades for processing. We grade and process our metals according to international specifications which determine the price of the metal at the time of purchase. Please note that prices are regularly subject to change as dictated by the fluctuations in the world market (refer to prices page).

 

These metals are magnetic, and are generally heavier than most non ferrous metals.

Some of the most common grades of ferrous metals that are handled by Metalcorp are described as follows:

 

Grade

Description

Examples

Cast Iron

 Items that have been cast from a furnace
brake drums manifolds
storm cover gratings roller rings

Heavy Steel

 Steel greater than 3mm in thickness
railway iron plate steel
construction steel old machinery

Lightgrade Steel

Steel less than 3mm in thickness
roofing iron ducting
drums spouting

Ferrous Inorganic

 Products consisting mostly of lightgrade metals
white ware car bodies

 

 

These metals are non magnetic and generally lighter than ferrous metals. They are typically more valuable than ferrous metals.

There are numerous grades of nonferrous metals, including aluminium, copper, brass, stainless steel and lead. The most common products handled by Metalcorp NZ are described as follows:

Grade

Description

Examples

ALUMINIUM

Cast

 Heavy, dense aluminium which has been cast into moulds.
mag wheels drain covers
gear box housing    

Clip

 Flat sheet aluminium.  

Domestic

 Mixed aluminium products.
pots and pans
 registration plates
corrugated roofing    

Extrusion

 Aluminium which has been extruded through a die.
window frames
channel
box section    

Irony

 Aluminium containing steel containments.
brake boosters
 cylinder heads
vehicle water pumps    

Swarf

Aluminium turnings.

  
     

COPPER

Domestic

 Copper based products containing various other nonferrous metals in nominal amounts.
water cylinders spouting
toilet cisterns    

Grade 2

 Uncoated oxidized copper products free of welds and fittings. These products are typically thinned walled.
piping sheet off cuts

Grade 1

 Copper which is both clean and bright and uncoated.
new pipe off cuts
 punchings
unsheathed copper wire (No. 16 gauge and >)
     

BRASS

Mixed

 Brass of varied appearance in weight and colour (though typically yellow).
fittings taps
piping    

Swarf

 Brass turnings.  
     

STAINLESS STEEL

Solids

 The hardest of all nonferrous metals, usually shiny in appearance and difficult to scratch or make an impression on.
bench tops sinks
shower trays    

Swarf

 Stainless Steel turnings.  
     

LEAD

Solids

 Lead products which are both soft and hard in nature, although generally pliable or easily dented.
flashing sinkers
piping    

Batteries

 Batteries containing lead acid.
sourced from automotive vehicles and other machinery (does not include dry cell batteries).


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