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Melting Scrap

What happens to coatings, paint and plating when scrap is melted?

Short answer: Paint and plastic coatings burn off and create smoke and ash, zinc galvanising vaporises and must be captured, and plating such as chrome or tin can contaminate the melt, so heavily coated scrap needs extra handling or controls, and buyers often pay less for it or limit the amount accepted in a load, especially for materials that are sensitive to contamination.

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Paint and plastics

They burn off, creating fumes and ash that furnace operators have to manage.

Galvanising

Zinc coatings vaporise at melting temperatures, which requires fume capture.

Plating

Chrome, tin and similar plating can end up in the melt and change its chemistry.

How ScrapTrade Fits In

ScrapTrade buyers state how they treat coated material, so you can see the difference.

What suits the furnace suits your price. ScrapTrade connects you with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.

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