Common Terms Every Scrapper Needs to Know (Glossary from The Scrap Master)

Common Terms Every Scrapper Needs to Know (Glossary from The Scrap Master)

Welcome to The Scrap Master's Knowledge Base! Stepping into the world of scrap metal recycling means encountering a new language. Knowing these common terms will help you understand yard prices, communicate effectively, and ultimately, maximize your profits.

Consider this your quick-reference dictionary for the savvy scrapper!

A-Z of Scrap Master Terminology:

• Aluminum (Al): A lightweight, non-ferrous, non-magnetic metal. Common forms include cans (UBC), extrusion (window frames), and cast aluminum (engine parts). High value.

• Appliances (White Goods): Large household machines like refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves. Primarily steel, but contain valuable non-ferrous components (copper motors, wiring).

• Baled: Scrap metal that has been compacted into a dense block or cube by specialized machinery. This makes it easier to transport.

• Bare Bright Copper: The highest grade of copper scrap. It's clean, unoxidized, unalloyed, and uninsulated wire, usually 16 gauge or thicker. Fetches top dollar.

• Brass (Br): A non-ferrous, non-magnetic alloy of copper and zinc. Appears yellowish-gold. Common in plumbing fixtures, keys, and decorative items. Good value.

• Broker: An intermediary who buys scrap from collectors (often in large quantities) and sells to larger processing facilities or mills.

• Carbon Steel: The most common type of steel, an alloy of iron and carbon.

• Cast Iron: A type of ferrous metal (magnetic) that is very heavy and brittle. Found in old radiators, bathtubs, engine blocks, and sewer grates. Lower value than non-ferrous.

• Catalytic Converter (Cat): A component of vehicle exhaust systems containing precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Very high value; sold by unit, not weight, and prices vary widely.

• Clean Scrap: Metal that is completely free of any non-metal contaminants (plastic, rubber, wood, paint, dirt, glass) or other metal alloys. Always fetches a higher price.

• Common Metals: Generally refers to ferrous metals (steel, iron) due to their abundance and lower individual value.

• Contaminants: Any non-metal material (plastic, rubber, dirt, wood, paint, glass, fluids) attached to the metal, which will reduce its value if not removed.

• Copper (Cu): A highly valuable non-ferrous, non-magnetic metal. Excellent conductor. Found in wires, pipes, motors. Graded by purity (Bare Bright, #1, #2).

• Core: A term often used for used auto parts (like alternators, starters) that can be rebuilt. Some buyers pay extra for cores.

• Degaussing: The process of removing magnetism. Not typically done by scrappers, but relevant for some metals.

• Dirty Scrap: Metal that contains non-metal contaminants or is mixed with lower-value metals. Will be paid at a lower rate or rejected.

• Dismantling/Breaking Down: The process of taking apart an item (like an appliance or car part) to separate different types of metals and remove contaminants.

• Drum (or Barrel): Large metal containers often used for storing and transporting scrap.

• E-waste (Electronic Waste): Discarded electronic devices (computers, circuit boards). Can contain small amounts of valuable metals but require specialized handling due to hazardous materials.

• Ferrous Metals: Metals that contain iron and are magnetic. Primarily steel and cast iron. Lower value per pound.

• Forklift: A powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials over short distances within a scrap yard.

• Gauge: A measure of wire thickness (e.g., 10-gauge wire). Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker wire.

• Genset: Short for "generator set," a unit comprising an engine and an electric generator. Can be a source of valuable copper.

• Grabber/Grapple: A large, claw-like attachment on heavy machinery (like excavators) used to pick up and move large amounts of scrap metal.

• Gross Weight: The total weight of your vehicle including your scrap load, measured on the main scale at the scrap yard.

• High-Temp Wire: Electrical wire designed for high temperatures, often with specific insulation.

• Hydraulics: Fluid power systems used in heavy machinery for crushing, shearing, or baling scrap.

• Insulated Copper Wire (ICW): Copper wire still covered by its plastic or rubber insulation. Paid less than bare copper, as the yard must process it to remove insulation.

• Iron (Fe): A common, magnetic ferrous metal. Often refers to cast iron or heavy structural steel.

• Lead (Pb): A soft, heavy, non-ferrous metal. Found in car batteries (often exchanged), wheel weights, and old plumbing.

• Light Iron/Sheet Iron: Common, thin ferrous scrap like appliance shells, old shelving, thin steel sheets. Lower value.

• Load Securement: The practice of safely fastening scrap in your vehicle to prevent it from shifting or falling during transport.

• Market Price: The current prevailing price for a specific metal, which fluctuates based on global supply and demand.

• Mill: A large facility that processes raw materials (including scrap) into new metal products. Scrap yards sell to mills.

• Net Weight: The actual weight of your scrap metal. Calculated by subtracting your vehicle's empty weight (tare) from the gross weight.

• Non-Ferrous Metals: Metals that do NOT contain iron and are non-magnetic. Generally higher value per pound.

• Pay Rate: The price per pound (or per ton) that the scrap yard pays for a specific type and grade of metal.

• Payload Capacity: The maximum weight your vehicle (e.g., pickup truck) can safely carry, including passengers and cargo.

• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Safety gear like gloves, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and long clothing.

• Pounds (Lb) / Ton: Units of weight for measuring scrap. 1 ton = 2000 pounds.

• Processing: Any activity done to prepare scrap for resale or recycling, such as sorting, cleaning, dismantling, or baling.

• Rads (Radiators): Often refers to car radiators. Can be Aluminum, Aluminum/Copper (Al/Cu), or Copper/Brass (Cu/Br).

• Recycling Center: A facility that accepts materials for recycling, which may or may not pay for them.

• Refining: The process of purifying metal after melting.

• Roll-Off Container: Large, open-top dumpsters rented by scrap yards or waste management companies for large commercial or demolition projects.

• Scale: The large weighing platform at a scrap yard where vehicles are weighed.

• Scrap Dealer/Yard: A facility that buys scrap metal from individuals and businesses for processing and resale to mills.

• Shred: Scrap metal (usually light iron) that has been run through a shredder, breaking it into smaller pieces.

• Side Hustle: An additional income-generating activity done alongside one's main job.

• Sorted: Metal that has been separated into distinct categories by type and grade.

• Stainless Steel: A non-ferrous metal (though some grades are slightly magnetic) known for corrosion resistance. Found in sinks, some appliances. Good value.

• Steel (St): A common ferrous metal, an alloy of iron and carbon.

• Stripping: The act of removing insulation from wires or non-metal components from other metal items.

• Tare Weight: The empty weight of your vehicle after you have unloaded all your scrap.

• Tires (Tire Fee): Scrap yards often charge a per-tire fee if tires are left on rims, as they are not metal.

• Transmitting/Transmission: The transmission from a vehicle. Contains steel, aluminum, and sometimes other metals. Requires draining fluids.

• Tubing: Metal pipe, often referring to copper tubing from plumbing or AC units.

• UBC (Used Beverage Cans): Aluminum soda and beer cans. Should be separated from other aluminum for best payout.

• Weigh-In/Weigh-Out: The process of weighing your vehicle at the scrap yard (Gross on entry, Tare on exit).

• Wire Stripper: A tool used to remove insulation from electrical wires.

This glossary provides a solid foundation for understanding the language of the scrap metal industry. Mastering these terms will enhance your confidence and your ability to earn more!