Recycling effects on the composition of non-ferrous metals

Abstract

As in steel, the basic problem in the recycling of non-ferrous metals is the dispersion of individual metals or alloys in composite artefacts and in mixed scrap loads. A general view of the non-ferrous situation is not easily achieved, and recycling effects tend, in the natural thermodynamic order of things, to be specific to particular metals. There are, however, some overall differences from iron and steel which arise in relation to the intrinsic value of the materials themselves, their use both as high purity metals as well as in alloys (which has led to long-established refining techniques), and the potential for scrap use in the production of chemicals. The statistics of reuse are considered for Al, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni, and the ways in which some specific impurities are dealt with are considered. Aspects of ‘design for recycling' are introduced.