Stainless Steel Scrap Metal
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel (304 & 316) is a ferrous steel alloy which has a minimum of 10.5% chromium and is not magnetic. It does not rust, stain or corrode like ordinary steel does. The volume of chromium in the stainless steel effects how resistant it is to corrosion. Stainless steel will contain anywhere from 13% to 26% of chromium when the metal is purposely mixed for corrosion resistance.
Recently some stainless steel (404 & 414) is being manufactured with palladium instead of chromium. This results in a more cost effective stainless steel which has magnetic properties (non-ferrous), however lacks the level of corrosion resistance you get with 304 & 316 stainless steel.
Where would I find Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is everywhere today. Some of the most common places to find 304 & 316 stainless is:
- Automotive Parts
- Pots & Pans
- BBQ Surrounds
- Kitchen Appliances
- Rubbish Bins
- Sink Benches
- Stainless Handrails
- Marine Grade Nuts/Bolts/Flashings
Some of the more common places you will find 404 & 414 Stainless Steel would be:
Please note that non-ferrous stainless will be priced as light gauge steel.
Why should I scrap my stainless steel?
According to some international studies, the average volume of stainless steel in use per capita is 80 – 100 kg in developed countries. This means there could be hundreds of KG of stainless steel around your house right now!
On top of this, stainless steel is 100% recyclable and 60% of an average stainless steel item is recycled material. Recycling stainless steel is an essential part of the supply chain and by recycling your scrap you are helping reduce the impact on the environment.
What is the price of Stainless Steel?
When compared to typical steel, stainless is worth a lot more per KG. This is due to the fact that stainless steel is often used in low weight applications resulting in less actual metal per metre than traditional steel. Even though it has a relatively low weight, the demand for stainless steel ensures value in bringing it in to be recycled.
304 and 316 Stainless Steel is typically priced between $0.70 and $1.45 per KG.
404 and 414 Stainless Steel is priced as Light gauge steel.
How do I know what my Stainless Steel is worth?
Unless the item has been stripped back it can be hard to gauge the volume of stainless steel in an item. If you are looking to scrap a specific household item, please view the relative page on the site or contact us for further pricing information.
To give an indication of Stainless Steel prices, please visit the Scrap Metal Pricing guide