Zinc
Zinc sheet, die casting and galvanized steel: the magnet decides what is of it.
Zinc at construction is almost always titanium zinc: rolled fine zinc with small additives of copper and titanium, supplied according to its own standard for flat products. The additions make the sheet firm, they do not change anything at the purchase — it remains rolling zinc. The matt grey layer, which wears a zinc roof after a few years, is basic zinc carbonate. It protects the material, is not a shortage and does not have to be sanded; the sheet is weakened only where water was for decades.
The vast majority of zinc worldwide does not go into sheet metal, but into the galvanizing of steel. This explains why real zinc in the scrap is much less common than material that is merely zinc coated.
The second zinc family is die casting, commercially named after the Zamak alloy group: door fittings, carburetor housing, decorative parts, model construction. Metallurgically well-utilized, in practice almost always with steel axes, springs and plastic. Die casting goes back to die casting alloys, rolling zinc into the rolling mill — two targets, i.e. two containers.
What's the zinc price on?
At the listing for zinc on the London Metal Exchange. Zinc is mainly produced together with lead from the same ores, and most of it goes into galvanizing. A discount on the stock exchange price remains with the Altzink: zinc oxidizes at the surface, and when melted a part evaporates. Rolled zinc from roof and channel is therefore better there than rolled product.
Is galvanized steel zinc?
No, that's the most common mistake. Galvanized plates, pipes and fences are iron scrap with a few micrometers of thin zinc layer — the magnet adheres immediately. Pure zinc does not attract the magnet, can be bent, sounds dull and carries a uniformly grey oxide skin. A scratch sample creates clarity: for galvanized products, the bare steel is below it.
Do I have to remove bitumen and nails from the old zinc sheet?
Yeah, both weighs with no zinc. In the dismantling, roof board, bitumen, mortar, gutter iron and steel nails as well as old paints come along; rolled-up gutters full of foliage and mud are the classic. Soldered seams add lead and tin. Roughly knocked off, iron parts out, bitumen pieces separated — then rolling zinc remains with its kind.
Is a single zinc channel enough, or does it have to come together more?
A channel goes, but rarely comes over the minimum payment of 25 euros, because zinc sheet is thin and light. With a roof renewal, several hundred kilograms are quickly combined: from 500 kilograms we pick up all over Germany, including shipping up to 1,000 kilograms in packages of a maximum of 31.5 kilograms. Smaller quantities will take you to Ludwigshafen.
Do you buy zinc sacrificial anodes?
Yes, zinc anodes from boilers, storage, boats and steel structures run as zinc. The threaded bolt or steel core belongs out, otherwise it weighs with — sawn off this is done in a minute. Strongly consumed anodes do little because there is hardly any metal left. Also check if it is really zinc: Magnesium anodes are remarkably light.
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