Why are briquettes more valuable than scrap metal chips?
By processing scrap metal into briquettes, they have a greater yield when recycled. Briquettes have several advantages for the melter (foundry or smelter) that translate into more value. These advantages include: • Removing and containing your coolant onsite increases the value of the metal in compact form. The processor adds labor, transportation, or disposal fees for removing the coolant. • Less surface area to oxidize and become slag. More than 85% of the briquette is submerged in the melt bath so the material does not have a chance to become slag. This typically produces yields up to 96% versus 45% to 90% for clean and dry turnings. • Briquettes are drier than chips from a chip wringer. When chips from even the best wringer are briquetted, there is still liquid to be pressed from the chips. Less liquid results in more value to the melter. • Briquettes are easier to handle both in transporting to the furnace and once in the furnace. It is easier to pick up blocks rather than chips.
