Metal: we all know it when we see it, feel it, and use it, but have you ever thought about the different industries that rely on metal to function? There are many industries that rely on and use metal in different ways as a core part of their business. These industries might have metal at the very centre of their practices, or they might rely on metal to function, but they all utilise metal in some way. Here at Metal Men Recycling, metal is our business, so we are keenly aware of the role that it has to play across businesses, trades, and industries. Whether an industry is metal-centred or metal-reliant, these businesses have metal at their heart, just like we do here at Metal Men Recycling. Keep reading to find out about just some of the industries that use and rely on metal, including where you can sell scrap metal for it to be recycled.
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a scientific field that studies and works with metallic elements as well as alloys and intermetallic compounds.
What is an alloy?
An alloy is a metallic substance which is composed of two or more metallic elements. An alloy can be created by melting the two metallic elements together. An example of an alloy is brass, which is comprised of copper and zinc.
What is an intermetallic compound?
An intermetallic compound is a type of alloy which forms a solid-state compound between two or more metallic elements.
Metallurgy is split into two categories: chemical metallurgy and physical metallurgy. Chemical metallurgists study the chemical performance of metals, including the oxidisation of them. Some areas of study within chemical metallurgy are electrochemistry, the extraction of metals, and thermodynamics.
Meanwhile, physical metallurgy has a particular focus on the physicality of metals, including their mechanical properties and how they physically perform. Areas of study within this field include material characterisation and phase transformations.
If you want to know more about this broad field of engineering and science, make sure to check out this page all about metallurgy and discover how this unique industry uses metal.
Metalworking
Metalworking is the business of shaping and reshaping metal to create new things. This can include objects like utensils for instance, or they can be parts that are used in constructing new large-scale structures or in machinery.
This industry dates back to ancient times and can be divided into three broad categories: forming, cutting, and joining.
Forming: The process of forming metal means modifying a metal object by deforming the object. This means that a particular type of force is applied to the metal, which could be heat or a mechanical force.
Cutting: The process of cutting means to cut a metal workpiece into a specific shape. This is done by cutting away the excess metal around the intended geometrical shape. The process leaves two parts: the finished cut piece, and the excess metal or waste.
Joining: This process joins two pieces of metal together, as in brazing, soldering, or welding. Welding for example, is a type of joining process that applies a form of energy to the two pieces, be it laser, gas flame, friction, or ultrasound. The application of this energy creates the weld between the two.
Building and Construction
The building and construction industry utilise metal in their day-to-day activities, using many different kinds of metal for many different applications.
Steel is among the most commonly used metal in building and construction, as is aluminum, due to its durable and lightweight qualities. In addition, copper can be used in this industry for things like wiring, roofing, and heating systems, due to its benefits of conductivity, flexibility, and durability.
The building industry uses these types of metals in the construction of new structures including homes and workplaces. They can be used for framing these structures, as well as roofing, electrical wiring, cladding, and plumbing, to name just a few.
Scrap Metal Recycling
Here at Metal Men Recycling, metal is the heart and soul of our business. We are proud to offer a reliable place for our customers to sell scrap metal and recycle it safely and professionally. This means we are able to provide a valuable service to customers, as well as play a part in bringing about the benefits that recycling scrap metal produces for the environment. Make sure to check out our guide to the environmental benefits of scrap metal recycling to discover how this practice helps out the world around us.
Ready to Sell Scrap Metal?
Look no further than Metal Men Recycling! We are experts in scrap metal and metal recycling, backed by our 50 years of industry experience. Our motto says, if it’s metal, we want it! So, when you have excess scrap metal at home or in the workplace, make sure to recycle it with Metal Men Recycling.
Call us at 03 5941 6677, or fill out our online contact form, and we will be happy to get back to you!