Accepted Types of Aluminum

ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) cables are used in electrical systems and overhead power lines. 

They consist of a steel wire core surrounded by aluminum wires. 

The steel content in High grade ACSR can vary from 6% to 25%.

Mid grade ACSR has a greater steel wire to aluminum wire ratio.

Used Beverage Containers are typically referred to as UBC. 

Aluminum food containers should be removed as they will bring down the quality.  

The material is to be free of other scrap metals, foil, tin cans, plastic bottles, paper, glass, and other non-metallic items.

Aluminum breakage is a type of scrap aluminum that contains aluminum, iron, dirt, plastic, and other metals. 

It's often made up of car parts like transmissions, and can also include other cast aluminum items like bakery trays, bed frames, and outboard motors. 

Aluminum breakage is considered the dirtiest form of aluminum and is worth less than other grades of scrap aluminum because it requires more refining during processing. 

This grade can be mixes of 70% aluminum and 30% iron to 20% aluminum and 80% steel or other foreign materials

Dirty cast aluminum is a strong but brittle aluminum with steel, rubber, or plastic attached. It will have a dull grainy look & when broken you can see the rough edge from being casted. 

If there are lead weights or steel bolts attached to items, this is also considered “dirty.”

This grade is for your aluminum that is contaminated with foreign materials up to 5%. Meaning the aluminum needs to be 95% of the total weight compared to the 5% foreign materials. 

This could be iron screws, rubber, plastic, and other materials.

No cast, extrusion, wheels, turnings, ACSR, IAW, radiators, compressors,  allowed.

EC aluminum wire, or electrical conductor aluminum wire, is bare aluminum wire without insulation or connectors. 

It's often made from aluminum 1350, which is a primary alloy used in aluminum magnet wire. EC aluminum wire is often worth more than other types of aluminum wire. 

This grade is for aluminum that is 95% dirty and more. Meaning the weight of aluminum will only be that of 95% and can be as low at 50% of the gross weight. 

Foreign materials can be pressed in, welded, soldered, and bolted making the cleaning process too time consuming. 

Aluminum extrusion is a process that involves heating aluminum alloy to around 900°F and forcing it through a die to create a desired shape or profile.

Dirty extrusion will be contaminated with foreign materials such as iron, copper, brass, plastic, glue, weather stripping, and rubber. 

Typically found in automobiles. This grade requires the ends to be removed making them clean. 

Any other foreign materials also must be removed. Grease and oil content may not exceed 10% of weight. 

AL radiators that still have the ends attached, rubber hoses, steel brackets, and any other foreign materials. 

AL siding and gutters are painted and generally thinner gauge material than MLC aluminum. 

Aluminum Shavings/Turnings are generated from the use of metalworking machinery. 

For this grade the metal must contain at least 70% aluminum and no more than 30% iron. Also sometimes known as aluminum breakage.

Insulated aluminum wire is aluminum wire that has a non-metallic coating or insulation, usually made of rubber or plastic.

High grade grade must be at least 70% aluminum and 30% insulation.

Mid grade is for recoveries from 50% - 20% of aluminum and 50% - 80% of  insulation.