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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List Free →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.
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List or Find Scrap on ScrapTrade →Practical answers on how scrap is melted, what furnaces and foundries want and how sellers can supply material that melts well.