Aluminum and steel parts from electric motors

Every now and then I get an odd piece of scrap that defies clear identification on which pile it belongs in.

Yesterday's problem for me came after taking apart a pile of electric motors. I had a small pile of ceiling fan stators that were cast aluminum with steel bands, but with indistinct boundaries between the metals. I also had a small pile of rotors taken from other motors. These rotors were solid pieces of similar construction, a mix of aluminum and steel.

I had these in the irony aluminum bin but they were all rejected by the scale man.

I know - the yard will buy what the yard will buy. BUT - has anyone else had experience with these or similar items? Just trying to gauge if my judgement is off base so I can re-adjust my attitude if needed, or try out a new yard.

[QUOTE=erewen;217609 I had these in the irony aluminum bin but they were all rejected by the scale man.[/QUOTE]

When you say, rejected, did they not take the material, or, did they classify it as something else?

Rejected as irony aluminum. Would only take them as shred.

Kinda hard to tell without pics. Unless you are talking about some real poundage, I would let it go and move on. If you get anything like it again, break it down and keep it separate. Ask them how they need it broken down further to meet that irony aluminum category. Then either toss it in the shred pile, or take it back and break it down more. just my thoughts

Im having a similar problem. Its to do with the ends though.
I think your buyers just being cautious.

I think your parts are Iron embedded into cast Ali. Though it may be 'diecast' not Ali.

The problem I'm having is with the ends, sometimes they are super light, light, or heavy.
These motors are the fan motors from microwaves, washing machine motors, drier motors, all induction motors.

Im expecting the super light ones to be Magnesium.
Light ones are Aluminium, pressure die cast or just cast. Thats two different grades of Ali there...
Heavy ones. I think are Zinc metal mix diecast.

Now I guess the superlight ones, being probably Magnesium, can sell as 'Ali domestic'.

Light ones, could sell as 'Extrusion Ali', but thats just a chance. Probably better to sell them as 'Domestic Ali' rather than 'Cast Ali' because 'Cast Ali' is its own grade. Pressure cast Ali is actually 'extruded Ali' to start off with, same deal with hard drive cases.
'Domestic Ali' is just a mix of Ali's, it seems a safer bet. Anything 'Ali' goes there.

The heavy ends, I think they are 'Zinc metal diecast'. Not what you or anyone else wants in their Ali pile...
What should they go as? I don't get a lot of it, just enough to make a small pile. But too much to throw out if they are worth anything.

Because the ceiling fan motors are a cheaper item, already have zinc metal diecast parts, don't weigh much anyway, I think you scrap buyer is leaning towards thinking its s##7metal diecast and being cautious.

One thing about the scrap metal buyers workers, they don't know evetything, they know most things, but even after being here at SMF for a couple of years, Im still learning stuff.
So I don't expect them to know 100% everything, I do expect them to be cautious if they have a question in their mind about a subject.
It might only be a dollar or few to us, but it might mean the loss of a contract to them. And a unhappy boss......

Thats why I sell to one yard. But keep a lookout on prices, and don't shift yards on a small incident.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by erewen

Rejected as irony aluminum. Would only take them as shred.

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They should have paid you for "prepped steel" HMS#2 which is usually priced 50% more than shred.

What i do with these is to make a really hot fire in a 55 gal bottomless steel drum. If you can get the fire hot enough (it is possible without added air) drop the mix metal in. The aluminum always melts out and settles on the ground leaving iron and ash. After accumulating enough aluminum "blooms", I'll remelt them and mold them into rectangular bars (not ingots)...Not really cost effective but it's sure as hell fun! BTW, it sure is pretty when the aluminum is an alloy with magnesium!

Jonny,

Great suggestion, like you say, a guy has to have a little fun when scrapping!

Does your yard accept the cast bars as some form of aluminum? I've always heard that yards are real leery of home-cast stuff, fearing that you've hidden something else inside.

Jon.

i know what ur talking about
i also thought it would be accepted as aluminium at the least

but my yard accepts it as steel

win some lose some
thats the way it goes

They are really leery but I always bring cast in in 200 to 300 lb increments. Usually with that much they don't ask many questions when mixed in with other cast.