Iron is one of the most important metals currently used in our economy. This metal is plentiful and is used for a huge variety of applications. It is the one metal that is found in every building, every home, and every business. This metal can be used to produce just about anything, from furniture to vehicles.
Because iron is so popular, it doesn’t have such a high recycling value as other precious metals. Even so, the metal is still very valuable and plays an important role in circular recycling processes. It is also one of the very best materials to focus on if you want to make an extra income in Melbourne.
Let’s take a closer look at the circular recycling process of iron and find out how this metal can fuel a sideline income.
- Where Iron Begins
Iron comes from a natural material called iron ore that is found inside the earth. This material is mined and then put through various smelting and purification processes to extract the iron from the ore.
After extracting the metal, it is processed into various forms. These can include metal sheets, blocks, or pipes. The metal is then shipped off to manufacturing industries where products like vehicles, appliances, furniture, or machinery are made. Some iron is kept in its manufactured form and is used in construction to create buildings and roads.
- Iron’s Lifespan
Iron products are vulnerable to rust. The metal is therefore coated in a protective layer of paint. This layer keeps the metal from making contact with oxygen and prevents eroding and rusting. Even though the coatings are great for preserving the metal and keeping it for as long as possible, all metal items do eventually start to rust. This usually occurs because the coatings don’t have such a long lifespan. When the coating starts eroding away, it exposes the metal to oxygen and water, and the rusting process is set into motion.
Iron items typically last 5 to 20 years, depending on the type of coating it has and the type of maintenance it receives. Once the metal is compromised or damaged, it enters the circular recycling process.
- Scrap Collection
The circular recycling process usually starts with scrap metal collectors. Iron is collected from various industries like demolition companies, industrial companies, construction companies, discarded tools, and consumer goods. Collectors will usually gather as much metal as they possibly can before calling scrap metal companies like Danny Scrap Metal to come and collect their piles. Scrap metal companies offer a good payout rate to scrap metal collectors for their efforts.
- Sorting and Processing
After collecting the metal, the scrap is sorted with the use of magnets. Magnets make it easier to separate iron from non-ferrous metals. The iron is then cleaned, shredded, and processed. This processing method can be different for each scrap metal company.
- Melting and Refining
After sorting scrap metal, the metal can be sold internationally or to local recycling companies. The iron scrap is melted down in blast furnaces to remove impurities and to produce new iron.
- Re-Manufacturing
The newly recycled metal is then used to create new products. These new products will be as strong as ever because iron can be recycled without compromising the integrity of the metal. A wide range of new products is made from recycled metal every day.
- Repeat the Cycle
Once manufactured, the iron products are distributed to markets, and the circular process starts all over again. When these recycled metal items become worn out, they will be collected, scrapped, smelted, purified, and reused. This process can continue over and over again, infinitely.
Get Cash for Iron Scrap Metal in Melbourne
Iron has a very interesting circular recycling process but the most interesting part about this metal is that anyone can make some money from this process. Scrap metal companies like Danny Scrap Metal are happy to purchase scrap iron from anyone and even offer pickup services for large piles in Melbourne.
Contact Danny Scrap Metal if you have an old car or a large pile of metal, and get the best price for your scrap metal.