Contaminated aluminum refers to scrap metal that contains impurities or foreign materials, including steel or non-metallic contaminants. It is a type of aluminum scrap that has been unintentionally mixed or contaminated during its use or disposal.

Contaminated aluminum can arise from various sources, such as mixed metal waste, demolition projects, or recycling processes where aluminum comes into contact with steel, plastics, rubber, coatings, or other non-metallic substances.

The presence of steel or non-metal contamination in aluminum scrap poses challenges for recycling. It requires additional sorting and processing steps to separate the aluminum from the contaminants. Techniques like magnetic separation, eddy current separation, or manual sorting are employed to remove steel or non-metallic materials from the aluminum.

Recycling contaminated aluminum is important for resource conservation and waste reduction. By effectively separating and removing the contaminants, the aluminum can be recycled and used to produce new aluminum products, contributing to a more sustainable approach to metal production.

However, the presence of contamination can affect the quality and value of the recycled aluminum, as it may require additional processing and purification steps to ensure the aluminum meets specific industry standards and requirements.