What's the difference between wrought and cast aluminium, and does it matter for scrap pricing?
Short answer: Wrought aluminium (like extrusions, sheet, and rolled products) is formed by mechanical working and is generally a purer, more consistent alloy, while cast aluminium (like engine blocks, gearbox housings, and some fittings) is poured into a mould and typically contains a higher percentage of alloying elements like silicon — wrought generally commands a better price than cast because it's closer to pure aluminium and easier to reprocess into new wrought products.
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List Free →How each is made
Wrought aluminium is formed by processes like extrusion or rolling, which require a relatively pure, consistent alloy composition to work properly — this is what you find in window frames, sheet, and structural sections.
Why cast is a different grade
Cast aluminium is poured into a mould and commonly contains higher levels of silicon and other elements to improve its casting properties — this composition difference means it’s reprocessed differently and generally priced separately from wrought material.
What this means for sorting
If you can distinguish and separate wrought material (frames, sheet, extrusion) from cast material (engine parts, cast fittings, cast wheels), you’ll typically get better overall value than combining everything into one generic “aluminium” pile.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
ScrapTrade’s category listings let you specify wrought versus cast separately, helping buyers quote accurately for each grade.
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