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Aircraft Scrap Metal
Age 14 · Chemistry
Aircraft scrap contains several different metals and alloys mixed together. Density, spark colour and alloy composition help you tell them apart before sorting and recycling.
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In the picture
- Long white sparks fly from the piece held against the grinder wheel.
- The middle piece throws short red sparks.
- The right-hand piece rests flat on the bench.
- A small dial scale with a metal pan stands behind the row.
- A bar magnet lies beside the scale.
Examples
- A drinks can and a steel food tin look alike, but a magnet picks out the steel.
- Scrap yards grind a piece of metal and watch the sparks to sort mixed metals.
Key takeaways
- Different metals have different densities and throw different spark colours.
- Sorting by alloy before recycling keeps the recycled metal clean and useful.
Quiz: Aircraft Scrap Metal (Age 14)
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Which properties help identify different metals and alloys in aircraft scrap before sorting?
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Why is it useful to identify the different metals and alloys in aircraft scrap before sorting?
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What can spark colour during grinding tell you about a metal piece?
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