Guide to Aluminium Scrap Grades: Extrusion, Cast, Sheet & Cable
Got aluminium scrap stacking up around the backyard? Barn? Construction site? That’s not junk — it’s gold. But wait, did you know there are different aluminium scrap grades? The grade, cleanliness and type of aluminium determines how much money you’ll receive at the scrap yard.
At Urban Copper Recycling, we sort through aluminium every day, and understand precisely what distinguishes high-value aluminium scrap grades from low. This handy guide will explain the four primary aluminium grades – extrusion, cast, sheet and cable – so you know exactly what you have before you tip it into a skip.
Ready to tip your first load? Call today on 0412 500 063 for current aluminium scrap prices.
Want the answer NOW? Read below!
Quick Answer: Aluminium Scrap Grades Explained!
There are four primary aluminium scrap grades:
- Extrusion – window frames, door tracks, architectural sections — highest-value clean grade
- Cast – engine parts, gear boxes, cookware, machinery housings
- Sheet – roofing, wall panels, car body parts, offcuts
- Cable/wire – insulated aluminium electrical cable and bare aluminium wire
Typically extrusion and clean sheet fetch the highest price per kilo, while cast and insulated cable rate lower due to alloying elements or processing costs — stripping insulation.
1. Aluminium Extrusion Scrap:
Window frames, sliding door tracks, shopfront sections, shower screens — these are all made from aluminium extrusion. This high-value scrap is produced by forcing heated aluminium alloy through a shaped steel ‘die’ to create long continuous shapes.
Most extrusion is alloyed 6060, 6061 or 6063. Extrusion made from the 6063 alloy is often referred to as the “architectural alloy” because it’s popular within the construction industry.
If it is clean and easily removable, these aluminium additions will decrease your price:
- Steel screws or fixings
- Rubber seals
- Plastic strips
Window frames with glass still in them will also reduce your price. Remove what you can, then sell as clean extrusion scrap to the yard.
Tip: Strip aluminium extrusion of rubber gaskets and steel fixings where possible. Paint-free extrusion — known as “extrusion 6063 free of contaminants” — will always return the best price.
2. Cast Aluminium Scrap:
Cast aluminium refers to any aluminium that has been ‘cast’ into shape by pouring molten metal into moulds. Engine blocks, cylinder heads, gearbox housings, pump bodies, saucepans, fry pans and outdoor furniture frames are all good examples of cast aluminium.
Cast aluminium alloys often contain higher levels of silicon and other alloying metals, which typically makes them worth less than extrusion aluminium and clean sheet.
Cast aluminium can usually be identified by:
- The heavier, thicker feel — when compared to sheet
- Grainy/pitted surface
- Common shapes include housings, brackets and other bespoke 3D shapes
Pieces to avoid:
- Steel bolts and inserts
- Bearings
- Oil will contaminate the melt and lower your price. Remove from engine parts before selling.
Remember to keep your cast aluminium separate to avoid downgrading your clean aluminium extrusion pieces.
3. Aluminium Sheet Scrap:
Flat-rolled aluminium is referred to as aluminium sheet. Common applications include roofing/wall panels, car body panels, signage, boat hulls, and general aluminium offcuts.
If your sheet is clean and thick — over 2mm — it will attract a higher price. Thin sheet contaminated with paint, or mixed with other substances will rate much lower.
Clean sheet versus dirty sheet:
- Clean sheet – bare, unpainted sheet free of rivets, steel and plastic
- Dirty/painted sheet – coated with paint or attached to other materials
Sorting sheet out before delivery can really add value to your load. Mixed alloys and contaminants can cause the whole lot to be downgraded. That’s why we recommend doing it yourself!
4. Aluminium Cable & Wire Scrap:
When it comes to aluminium scrap grades, wire and cable gets broken down into two categories.
- Bare aluminium wire
- Insulated aluminium cable with a plastic coating
Pure aluminium wire generally pays more, because it doesn’t have to be processed prior to melting. Whereas the plastic has to be stripped from the insulated cable before melting, so the price is per ‘net’ weight.
Aluminium cable has a variety of applications including overhead power cables, old house wiring and heavy industrial feeders. Like all scrap, larger volumes of insulated cable will earn you more – consider stripping it beforehand to increase your return.
Summary: Scrap Aluminium Grades:
Highest payout comes from separating your aluminium into four key grades: extrusion, cast, sheet and cable. Alloy type, as well as cleanliness will affect value, so you may even consider separating the alloys further:
| Material Grade | Common Sources | Price Reference Notes |
| Extrusion | Window frames/door tracks, engineering-grade alloys | Remove rubber/glass before selling |
| Cast | Engine blocks/cookware, old scrap | Remove steel fixings |
| Sheet | Cladding/vehicle panels, features in both clean and dirty grades | Sort into clean/dirty piles |
| Cable | Electrical cable contains aluminium alloys | Strip insulation first |
Scrap metal prices fluctuate daily based on the global aluminium market, so be sure to double-check with us that the price is still current before you deliver.
Can’t tell which grade you’ve got? Not a problem!
The team at Urban Copper Recycling can sort through your scrap aluminium and grade it ourselves. We’ll still pay you the same rate, and you can be confident we won’t trick you into thinking something is better quality than it really is.
Call today on 0412 500 063 for your instant aluminium quote.
Getting The Best Price For Aluminium Scrap
Here are our top tips to maximising your aluminium scrap return:
1. Sort your scrap metal into grades:
Don’t mix everything together into one big metal skip. Removing steel screws and other contaminants will also help.
2. Keep your aluminium dry & clean:
Oil, dirt and moisture on your scrap will only increase the weight you’re hauling – without increasing your payout.
3. Deliver in bulk:
If you’ve got lots of scrap aluminium laying around, larger deliveries usually receive better pricing.
4. Check the price before you deliver:
Aluminium closely follows the global commodity markets, so it pays to call first.
FAQs
1. What is the highest value aluminium scrap?
Clean aluminium extrusion and clean aluminium sheet are usually the highest value grades. They’re easy to spot and remelt into new secondary alloy.
2. Is cast aluminium worth recycling?
Absolutely, however keep in mind that it’s worth slightly less than clean extrusion because of its alloy content. Be sure to remove any steel fixings before selling.
3. Does Urban Copper Recycling pay for insulated aluminium cable?
Yep! As with all scrap metal – it’s based on the grams per tonne. Because aluminium cable is layered with plastic you’ll receive less money per kilo, than for a pile of pure aluminium wire. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t weigh in that cable – you’ll still earn money. Simply strip the insulation first for a better return.
5. How do I know if I have extrusion or cast aluminium?
Extrusion tends to be uniform in shape and pretty smooth. Door tracks and frames are common examples. Cast aluminium is much heavier, will often have a grainy/pitted surface and is usually formed into 3D objects. Engine parts and housings are common examples.
So what are you waiting for? Call Urban Copper Recycling today on 0412 500 063 and sell your scrap aluminium for cash.
Read More: Ferrous vs Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal: Which Is Worth More?
Top reasons to sell to Urban Copper Recycling
- Transparent, real-time pricing
- We’ll sort & grade your load for free
- Fast, friendly service every time