Short answer: Dross is the layer of oxides and impurities that forms on the surface of molten metal, particularly aluminium, and it has to be skimmed off and processed or discarded, so thin, dirty or heavily coated scrap, which produces more dross, gives the melter less usable metal per tonne and is therefore priced lower than thick, clean pieces.
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List Free →Surface oxides
Metal exposed to air at high temperature forms oxides that float on the melt.
More surface, more loss
Thin sheet and fine pieces have a lot of surface area, so more of the metal turns to dross.
A pricing effect
Buyers price scrap by expected yield, which is why thin or dirty material earns less.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade buyers price scrap according to expected yield, so clean, dense material earns more.
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