Cast aluminum look all the same right? Well…what if you go to sell it and your scrap yard labels it as Die Cast and you have no idea what that is. Let’s go over Die Cast and how you can tell the difference between it and other metals.
What’s the Difference?
Die Cast has zinc inside of it and that is one of the metals that makes up the compound of the die cast metals. Die cast will commonly be used in lamps or When you break or cut die cast you will see a very silvery looking color as well as a crystal pattern on the cut or the break.
When you cut into cast aluminum, it will be a much more dull color and it will be softer as well. The softness will because of the greater amount of aluminum in the Cast Aluminum mix, but there will still be another hardener in it like copper to help make the metal stronger.
Still not sure about the differences? Just let us know by sending some pictures and we will help you figure out what you have and what you can sell it for.
Until next week, scrap ya later!
-Tom
What do I do at the yard?
When you have different type of aluminum it can get confusing when you are going to your scrap yard. Some yards will accept all types of aluminum at the same price, but there are others that will accept different type and have completely separate pricing for them. You’ll want to call ahead and ask about the different rates they purchase aluminum. Being aware of what to expect before you get to your yard is just as important as selling your scrap metal. If you are prepared the right way you can get in and get out sooner with the right money in your hand.
If you want to learn about other types of aluminum, be sure to check out our YouTube videos. The one below Joe shows you what clean aluminum looks like:
