Metal scrapping is popular as both a hobby and a full-time job; but, where does all that scrap go once it is turned in at a metal recycling center? Berman Bros. scrap recycling in Jacksonville, FL accepts old aluminum, brass, copper, iron, lead, nickel alloys and stainless steel, among others. As the top scrap metal buyer in Jacksonville, Berman Bros. offers competitive pricing on scrap metals. It then takes those metals and processes them into components and alloys to be used in various industries. Each year, Berman Bros. processes over 100 million pounds of scrap metal.
After being processed, melted down, and refined, most of the many of the metals processed by Berman Bros. gets re-formed into blocks, sheets, pipes and beams at Rubin Iron Works, its sister metal fabrication facility. Blacksmiths in Florida and beyond love using recycled metals and alloys because the bars are less expensive than new ore, but do not lose their metalworking properties.
In their pure form, copper, brass, aluminum and steel are some of the most popularly purchased recycled metals. Copper is commonly used by the plumbing, HVAC and electrical industries. Recycled copper can be repurposed into pipes and water lines, air conditioning lines, and even electrical wires. Brass, now experiencing a resurgence in construction, is a favorite for hardware finishes like knobs, locks and faucets. Aluminum, which is one of the easiest scrap metals to gather due to its prolific use in canning drinks, can find new life in the construction industry. Gutters and window frames are often made from recycled aluminum scrap in Jacksonville. Recycled steel is used to make beams and supports that are used commercially for roads and bridges, or in residential home building.
Once melted, some scrap may be combined with at least one other metal or nonmetal to make an alloy. These combinations can alter the physical properties of the new composition, increasing hardness, strength, corrosion resistance and more. Alloys are also popular with blacksmiths, construction and industrial entities for forging less expensive final products. Recycled stainless steel alloys are commonly used for kitchen appliances, cutlery and cookware, as well as machinery on the industrial level. Aluminum alloys are particularly sought after in industries like mechanical engineering and aerospace manufacturing for their ability to reduce weight without compromising strength. Bronze alloys are particularly popular in nautical applications because of their resistance to corrosion. Bronze also ages with a beautiful green patina, making it focal feature for roofing, decorative work and sculptures. You can also find bronze and its alloys in medals and musical instruments.
Regardless of where scrap metal ends up, scrap recyclers in northeast Florida can feel confident that they are helping multiple industries reduce waste and add an economic boost to the community. It also helps conserve natural resources. The National Institute of Health’s Environmental Management System reported that using scrap steel instead of virgin ore to make new steel takes 40% less water and creates 97% less mining waste.