Magnetism is a relatively unique property that can help identify metals. When recycling scrap metal, it is nice to know which kind of metal you are selling; this prevents you from getting cheated by scrap dealers and recycling facilities. Below is an explanation of the magnet test that many scrap metal recycling facilities use to determine what kind of metal they are working with. We hope that this information will help you in your future recycling ventures.

Magnets: Basic Metal Identification

The magnet test is quite simple: place a magnet against the scrap metal and pull it back. If the metal sticks to the magnet, then the scrap contains a significant proportion of ferromagnetic metals; if the scrap does not move, then it is not a ferromagnetic metal.

The chemical composition and structure of a metal and/or alloy determine whether the material is magnetic.The most common metals that are both magnetic and used for metal recycling are iron, nickel scrap, carbide, cobalt, and certain types of stainless steel.

The magnet test can be used to identify scrap nickel, iron, cobalt, and other metals.

The Magnet Test for Scrap Metal Recycling

While the magnet test may be informative, it can also be misleading. Some alloys contain traditionally magnetic metals, yet the alloy itself is not magnetic. 300, 304, and 316 stainless steels, for example, contain both iron and nickel but are not magnetic.
The best way to determine how much money you can get for your scrap metal is to go to a trusted dealer or recycling facility. Gulf Coast Scrap Metal performs FREE alloy testing so you can find out exactly what type of scrap you are working with.

Don’t get cheated! Call Gulf Coast Scrap Metal at 713-868-4111 for recycling and to learn more about our current nickel scrap prices.