Non- Ferrous Metals?

Question

Are there any good publications that will instruct me to better identify different kinds of recyclable metals?

Answer 1

producer_vortex is partially correct.  What's incorrect is the definition of brass and bronze.  

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.  The color can vary a little because the percentages of copper and zinc can vary.  It's yellowish-gold in color.

Bronze is usually copper and tin, but it's not uncommon for there to be other metals beside or in addition to tin.  Bronze made with copper/tin is similar in color to copper.

Answer 2

If you know someone that works at a local scrap yard, they certainly know who to seperate materials that are recylclable.  Most will probably be pretty open to helping you, just don't catch them when they have cars/trucks lined up for dropping stuff off.  Describe the types of materials that you are thinking about in terms of how you can seperate it for the best price and go from there.

Answer 3

A magnet will tell you if a metal is non-ferrous or not and color

will tell you the rest.

Aluminum = silver color

Copper = reddish color

Brass = yellow or goldish color

Bronze = This is a little difficult as it is a combination of

copper and brass.