Can Rusted Metal Be Recycled?

What Is Rust?

Rust is the term used to describe the red iron oxides that are produced when ferrous metals corrode. It tends to resemble burnt flakes and appears across the surface of a material, usually in the form of red/orange/brown spots.

Increased humidity (more moisture in the air), changes in temperature and geographical elements (windy or rainy areas) can all contribute to increased rust. It is usually worse in salty environments due to the fact that salt can increase the reaction process.

Why Does Metal Rust?

The process of rusting occurs when metals that contain iron, such as steel, are exposed to water and oxygen. When combined, water and oxygen cause a combustion reaction, which compromises the metal’s properties. Both factors need to be present to cause rust.

The most common cause of rusting is when metal is left in the rain. This is because the metal reacts with the rainwater and the oxygen in the air to form a hydrated iron oxide, which presents itself as rust. To avoid this, you need to make sure your scrap metal is stored in a dry environment. Of course, there is still moisture in the air indoors, but rusting will occur at a much slower rate.

It’s worth noting that metals that don’t contain iron, like titanium and aluminium, won’t rust, so if the surfaces of these are tarnished, it’s due to oxidisation.

Can Rusted Metal Be Recycled? If So, How?

If you’re wondering if you can recycle your rusted metal, the short answer is yes. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that any metal with severe rust damage will weigh less, so you won’t get as much money for it as you would with pure metal.

But is metal that has rust on it safe to recycle? Well, let’s take steel as an example. When steel metal is recycled, it is first shredded and then melted down to create new sheets of metal. If it has rust on it, then after it’s melted down, it will undergo the process of purification. Purification is when other elements such as carbon are added to free the iron, therefore removing the rust and other impurities like paint or ink.

If you have rusted scrap metal in your yard and you want to get rid of it safely, then contact H&H Metal Recycling today. We’re the Sunshine Coast’s number-one recycling service, offering cash for your scrap metal. You can trust that we’ll take it off your hands and recycle it in an environmentally-friendly way.