ISRI Entrance Examination key terms

Any metal or alloy whose primary ingredient is iron, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or cast iron. Ferrous scrap is the largest volume category handled by scrap recyclers and is usually sorted with magnets.

A metal that contains little or no iron, such as aluminum, copper, brass, lead, zinc, nickel, or titanium. Nonferrous scrap is generally higher in value per pound and is sorted by alloy, appearance, and testing.

A metallic material made by combining two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, to achieve specific properties. Knowing alloys matters because scrap grades are often priced by exact composition rather than by appearance alone.

A named specification that defines the acceptable composition, cleanliness, and physical form of a scrap material for sale. Grades let buyers and sellers trade consistently because price and acceptance depend on meeting the stated specification.

The written requirements a shipment of scrap must meet, covering items such as alloy content, size, density, moisture, and free-flowing condition. Specifications are usually referenced in purchase orders and contracts and form the basis for accepting or rejecting material.

Any unwanted material mixed into scrap, such as plastic, rubber, dirt, moisture, or a different metal. Excess contamination lowers recovery value, can cause a load to be rejected or downgraded, and may create processing or environmental problems.

A sorting method that uses magnets, often suspended over a conveyor or mounted on a drum, to pull ferrous metal out of a mixed material stream. It is one of the most common and economical ways to separate iron-bearing scrap from nonferrous material.

Equipment that uses a rapidly rotating magnetic rotor to induce electrical currents in conductive particles, causing nonferrous metals such as aluminum to be repelled and separated from other material. It is widely used to recover nonferrous metals from shredded scrap and auto shredder residue.

Heavy rotating-hammer equipment that reduces whole items such as vehicles, appliances, and light iron into fist-sized pieces. Shredding liberates materials so downstream magnets and eddy current separators can recover ferrous and nonferrous metals.

The leftover nonmetallic fraction remaining after end-of-life vehicles or appliances are shredded and the metals are removed. ASR consists largely of plastics, glass, fiber, and dirt and must be managed or further processed under applicable waste rules.

A machine that compresses loose scrap into dense rectangular bundles for easier handling, storage, and transport. Baling improves loading efficiency and helps meet mill specifications that require dense, uniform pieces.

A compressed block of scrap produced by a baler, typically bound or strapped to hold its shape. Bales are weighed, graded, and shipped as discrete units, so their weight and quality directly affect settlement and mill acceptance.

A heavy hydraulic machine with a long blade that cuts oversize scrap such as structural steel, plate, and rails into mill-acceptable lengths. Shearing produces clean, dense pieces and is often paired with a charging box for feeding material.

The mass of scrap per unit volume, usually expressed in pounds per cubic foot or tonnes per cubic meter. Higher density means more metal per load, which lowers freight cost per pound and helps meet mill charge requirements.

Manual separation of scrap by workers who pick out metals by appearance, color, weight, and simple tests. It is used where automated sorting is impractical or where high-value alloys require careful identification before sale.

A field identification method in which metal is touched to a grinding wheel and the color, length, and shape of the sparks are observed. Experienced sorters use spark patterns to distinguish steel and iron alloys and to spot mixed or mislabeled material.

The weight of an empty container, truck, or railcar, subtracted from the loaded weight to determine the net weight of the material. Accurate tare weights are essential because payment for scrap is based on net weight.

The weight of the material alone, calculated as gross weight minus tare weight. Net weight is the figure used for pricing, settlement, and inventory records in scrap transactions.

The total weight of a loaded vehicle or container, including the material, packaging, and the container itself. It is recorded at the scale and then adjusted by the tare weight to arrive at net weight.

The written or electronic record produced by a certified scale showing weights, date, time, vehicle, and material details for a load. Scale tickets support payment, inventory tracking, and dispute resolution and are part of required recordkeeping.

A weighing device that has been inspected and approved by a government authority for commercial use and is subject to periodic re-verification. Transactions based on certified scales are legally defensible and reduce disputes over weight.

The rate at which stored scrap is sold and replaced over a period, often expressed as the number of times inventory is cycled per year. Fast turns reduce exposure to price declines and lower the cost of holding material.

The danger that the market value of held scrap will fall, or that purchase costs will rise, before material is sold. Recyclers manage this risk through quick turns, forward sales, and hedging so that margins are protected.

A financial or contractual position taken to offset potential losses from price movements in a physical commodity. Scrap firms may use futures, options, or fixed-price sales contracts to lock in margins on material they own or expect to buy.

A standardized agreement to buy or sell a set quantity of a commodity at a specified price on a future date, traded on an exchange. Metals futures are used as pricing references and as tools to offset price risk in physical scrap deals.

The price for immediate delivery of a commodity, as opposed to a price set for future delivery. Scrap sales are often quoted at spot or at a discount or premium to a published index.

A published benchmark price for a commodity, derived from surveys of trades or assessments by a reporting agency. Contracts often reference an index so that settlement is transparent and tied to observable market conditions.

A legally binding agreement between buyer and seller that sets quantity, grade, price, delivery terms, and payment conditions. Clear contracts protect both parties and specify what happens if material fails to meet the agreed specification.

A shipping document issued by a carrier that acknowledges receipt of goods and serves as a contract of carriage and often as a document of title. It records quantity, description, origin, destination, and freight terms for the shipment.

The cost of transporting scrap by truck, rail, barge, or ship. Because scrap is heavy and low in value per pound, freight is often the largest single cost and can decide whether a sale is profitable.

A document listing the contents of a shipment or the materials received at a facility, used for tracking and regulatory reporting. Hazardous or special waste shipments require a manifest that follows the material from origin to disposal.

Meeting the legal requirements that protect air, water, and land, including permits, discharge limits, and waste handling rules. Scrap facilities must manage stormwater, dust, fluids, and regulated waste to avoid fines and shutdowns.

A regulatory authorization that sets conditions for collecting, treating, and discharging rainwater that runs off an industrial site. Scrap yards typically need one because outdoor storage of metal and fluids can contaminate runoff.

Planning and physical controls, such as containment berms, secondary containment, and inspection routines, that keep fuels, oils, and other liquids from reaching soil or water. Required plans and training help facilities respond quickly if a release occurs.

A safety procedure that isolates energy sources and applies locks and tags before equipment is serviced or repaired. It prevents accidental startup or release of stored energy that could injure workers on balers, shears, and shredders.

Wearable safety gear such as hard hats, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection. PPE reduces injury risk from sharp metal, flying debris, noise, and heavy material handling in scrap operations.

Physical barriers, interlocks, and controls that keep workers away from moving parts such as belts, gears, and shear blades. Proper guarding is a core safety requirement and is inspected regularly on processing equipment.

The practices a scrap business uses to build and keep supplier and buyer relationships, including fair weighing, prompt payment, clear grading, and responsive service. Strong relationships secure steady material supply in a competitive market.

Money a business owes to suppliers, including payments due to scrap sellers for material delivered. Timely and accurate payment protects the company's reputation and is often a deciding factor for suppliers choosing where to sell.