Old Cast Aluminum Scrap consists of used or obsolete aluminum castings recovered from vehicles, machinery, appliances, industrial equipment and other manufactured products. Common examples include engine housings, cylinder heads, transmission cases, pump housings and selected machinery components.
Under ReMA/ISRI specifications, qualifying clean mixed aluminum castings may meet the Tense trade grade. Scrap value depends on alloy composition, cleanliness, attached metals, oil and grease, preparation and buyer requirements. Old Cast, Auto Cast, Dirty Cast and Aluminum Wheels should not automatically be treated as interchangeable scrap categories.
Old Cast Aluminum Scrap: Quick Facts
- Material category: Nonferrous aluminum scrap
- Primary material: Used aluminum-alloy castings
- Relevant ReMA/ISRI code: Tense, Mixed Aluminum Castings
- Related trade codes: Trump (Aluminum Auto Castings), Troma (Aluminum Auto or Truck Wheels) and Ginger (Shredded Aluminum Cast)
- Tense cleanliness: Free of iron, brass, dirt and other nonmetallic materials
- Tense oil and grease limit: Combined maximum 2% by weight
- Common sources: Automobiles, engines, industrial machinery, pumps, appliances and equipment
- Key grading factors: Alloy composition, steel attachments, oil, grease, foreign metals and contamination
- Typical buyers: Nonferrous scrap yards, automotive recyclers and secondary aluminum processors
What Is Old Cast Aluminum Scrap?
Old Cast Aluminum refers to aluminum castings recovered from products that have been used, replaced or taken out of service.
Casting is a manufacturing process in which molten aluminum alloy is introduced into a mold and allowed to solidify into a component with the required shape.
This manufacturing method is commonly used to produce complex components, including automotive housings, machinery bodies, pump parts and equipment castings.
Old Cast Aluminum differs from new manufacturing scrap because used components may contain steel fasteners, bearings, lubricants, rubber seals, surface coatings or other attachments.
Important distinction: Old Cast is a widely used commercial scrap-yard description. It is not automatically equivalent to clean ReMA/ISRI Tense material. A buyer may classify contaminated castings under a separate Dirty Cast, Irony Cast or Breakage category.
ReMA/ISRI Tense: Mixed Aluminum Castings Specification
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) maintains the ISRI Specifications used as reference descriptions for commercial recycled-material transactions.
Tense is the recognized trade code for Mixed Aluminum Castings.
The specification covers clean aluminum castings, including suitable automotive and aircraft castings, but excludes aluminum ingots.
What Can Qualify as Tense?
- Clean, identified aluminum castings
- Suitable automotive aluminum castings
- Acceptable aircraft aluminum castings
- Clean industrial casting components
- Other qualifying aluminum castings meeting the agreed grade
What Materials Are Excluded?
Qualifying Tense material must be free of:
- Iron and steel attachments
- Brass components
- Dirt and foreign debris
- Nonmetallic materials
- Aluminum ingots
Combined oil and grease must not exceed 2% by weight.
Trade specification note: The 2% limit applies to oil and grease, not to iron or other excluded attachments. Final acceptance, inspection, preparation and commercial settlement are subject to the buyer-seller agreement.
Old Cast vs. Tense: Are They the Same?
Not necessarily. Old Cast is a general scrap-market term, while Tense is a standardized specification for clean mixed aluminum castings.
A scrap yard may purchase used aluminum engine parts as Old Cast even if some steel hardware remains attached. Such material may not qualify for clean Tense pricing.
For commercial shipments, sellers should establish whether the purchase quotation refers to:
- Clean Tense Mixed Aluminum Castings
- General Old Cast Aluminum
- Clean Auto Cast Aluminum
- Dirty or Irony Cast Aluminum
- Aluminum Breakage
- Another buyer-specific cast aluminum category
The distinction is important because the same aluminum component may receive different commercial treatment depending on its preparation and contamination.
Common Types of Aluminum Castings
Aluminum castings are produced using several manufacturing processes. These methods affect component design and properties but do not by themselves establish the scrap purchasing grade.
Die-Cast Aluminum
Die casting introduces molten aluminum alloy into a metal die, frequently under high pressure. It is commonly used for complex, repeatable components in automotive and industrial manufacturing.
Sand-Cast Aluminum
Sand casting uses a sand-based mold to form aluminum components. It is used for various component sizes and production volumes.
Permanent-Mold Aluminum
Permanent-mold casting uses reusable molds and can produce castings with suitable dimensional and material properties for different industrial applications.
Other Casting Methods
Low-pressure casting, investment casting and lost-foam casting are additional processes used for selected aluminum components.
Grading note: High-pressure die cast, sand cast and permanent-mold cast are all aluminum casting processes. Whether a component meets Tense or another grade depends on material composition, cleanliness and buyer requirements.
Where Does Old Cast Aluminum Scrap Come From?
Old Cast Aluminum can be recovered from automotive, industrial, commercial and consumer equipment.
- Automotive dismantling: Engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmission housings and other suitable castings
- Engine rebuilding: Replaced aluminum engine and powertrain components
- Industrial machinery: Equipment housings, frames and cast mechanical parts
- Pumps and compressors: Aluminum housings and suitable end-of-life components
- Appliances: Certain cast-aluminum mechanical and structural parts
- Agricultural equipment: Machinery castings and equipment housings
- Commercial equipment: Selected cast components from industrial products
- Household and consumer products: Aluminum cookware and suitable outdoor furniture parts
Not every component from these sources is aluminum. Similar-looking products may be manufactured from cast iron, steel, magnesium or other metal alloys.
What Automotive Parts Can Be Old Cast Aluminum?
Automotive applications are a major source of recovered aluminum castings.
Potential scrap components include:
- Aluminum engine blocks
- Aluminum cylinder heads
- Transmission and gearbox cases
- Intake manifolds
- Motor housings
- Water-pump housings
- Selected suspension and structural castings
- Other aluminum powertrain components
The original vehicle application does not guarantee that a part is aluminum or that it qualifies for a clean cast grade.
Engine and transmission components may retain fluids, steel fasteners, shafts, bearings and seals. Those materials must be considered when assigning the receiving scrap grade.
Old Cast vs. Auto Cast Aluminum
Auto Cast describes aluminum castings recovered from automobiles and related vehicle applications.
The ReMA/ISRI Trump specification covers clean automotive aluminum castings of sufficient size for identification, free of iron, dirt, brass, bushings and nonmetallic contamination. Oil and grease are limited to a combined maximum of 2%.
Old Cast is a broader commercial category that may include aluminum castings from industrial machinery, appliances, automotive equipment and consumer products.
Not every Old Cast load qualifies as Trump, and not every yard separates Auto Cast from general mixed aluminum castings.
For potential buyers, visit RecyclingMonster's Auto Cast Recycling Centers directory.
Old Cast vs. New Cast Aluminum
New Cast Aluminum generally refers to production scrap, rejected components or suitable casting offcuts generated before the finished part enters service.
Old Cast comes from components that have already been used or removed from equipment.
| Characteristic | Old Cast | New Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Used or obsolete equipment | Manufacturing and production |
| Alloy information | May be mixed or unidentified | May have documented alloy chemistry |
| Attachments | May contain bolts, bearings or other parts | Often fewer service-related attachments |
| Contamination | May contain oils, dirt or residues | Depends on the production process |
| Pricing | Buyer and grade specific | Buyer and grade specific |
New Cast is not universally worth more than Old Cast. Actual prices reflect alloy composition, material preparation, contamination, market conditions and downstream demand.
Clean Cast vs. Dirty or Irony Cast Aluminum
Scrap yards commonly distinguish clean aluminum castings from material containing significant iron or other attachments.
Clean Cast Aluminum
Clean Cast Aluminum consists of suitable aluminum castings without disallowed metal attachments or substantial foreign contamination.
Qualifying material may meet the Tense specification when all grade requirements are satisfied.
Dirty or Irony Cast Aluminum
Dirty or Irony Cast Aluminum generally refers to castings containing attachments or contamination that prevent classification as clean cast.
Examples include:
- Steel bolts and studs
- Iron shafts
- Bearings and bushings
- Steel brackets
- Rubber mounts and seals
- Plastic components
- Oil and grease
- Dirt and other foreign materials
Dirty Cast may be accepted under a separate buyer-specific grade, often with a lower recoverable aluminum percentage.
Important: Cleaning or preparing a casting can improve its grade eligibility, but the net return depends on additional labor, transport and processing costs.
How to Identify Old Cast Aluminum
Cast aluminum is generally silver-gray and has a lower density than cast iron or steel. However, color and weight alone cannot confirm material composition.
- Check the component's origin: Identify the vehicle, appliance, machinery or equipment from which the part was removed.
- Review manufacturer information: Part numbers or technical specifications may identify its material.
- Use a magnet: Check the main body and attached components for ferrous materials.
- Inspect the construction: Look for casting characteristics, mounting bosses, molded shapes and machined surfaces.
- Check attachments: Identify bolts, steel shafts, bearings, brass fittings and other materials.
- Assess contamination: Note oil, grease, dirt, coatings and other residues.
- Identify possible mixed metals: Set aside uncertain material for qualified identification.
- Confirm the buyer's grade: Determine whether the casting qualifies as Tense, Trump, Dirty Cast or another category.
Identification warning: Aluminum and magnesium castings can both be lightweight and nonmagnetic. A magnet cannot reliably distinguish them. Do not grind, burn or chemically test unknown castings to identify the metal.
Old Cast Aluminum vs. Cast Iron
Cast aluminum and cast iron can appear in similar equipment, particularly engine blocks, pump housings and industrial machinery.
| Characteristic | Cast Aluminum | Cast Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Metal category | Nonferrous | Ferrous |
| Relative density | Lower | Higher |
| Magnetic response | Common alloys are nonferromagnetic | Generally strongly magnetic |
| Typical appearance | Silver-gray | Gray, often with iron rust |
| Recycling stream | Aluminum scrap processing | Ferrous scrap processing |
A magnet is a practical first screening tool, but attached steel hardware can create a magnetic response on an aluminum casting. Test the main component separately from its attachments.
Old Cast Aluminum vs. Extruded Aluminum
Cast aluminum and extruded aluminum are produced by different manufacturing methods and commonly enter separate recycling streams.
Cast aluminum is formed when molten aluminum solidifies inside a mold.
Extruded aluminum is produced by forcing aluminum through a shaped die to manufacture profiles such as channels, tubing and structural sections.
Mixed castings often contain different casting alloys, while extrusions frequently use wrought aluminum alloy families such as the 6000 series.
Keeping cast and extruded material separate can help recyclers control downstream aluminum chemistry.
For a related material comparison, see RecyclingMonster's 6063 Aluminum Extrusions Material Guide.
Are Aluminum Wheels Considered Old Cast?
Many aluminum wheels are produced by casting, but recyclers frequently purchase them under a separate wheel-scrap category.
Qualifying clean aluminum auto and truck wheels may meet the ReMA/ISRI Troma specification.
Wheel alloy composition, construction, surface treatments and attached materials can differ from general mixed aluminum castings.
Do not automatically mix clean aluminum wheels with Old Cast. Check the buyer's wheel grade and applicable price before combining the materials.
Compare Aluminum Car Wheels Scrap Prices with Aluminum Cast Scrap Prices.
Are Aluminum Pistons Old Cast Aluminum?
Aluminum pistons may be cast or forged, depending on their design and intended use.
Piston alloys can differ from general cast-aluminum scrap, and buyers may maintain separate categories for clean pistons and pistons with attached steel components.
ReMA/ISRI maintains specific piston classifications, including clean piston and irony piston categories.
Before mixing pistons with Old Cast, confirm whether the buyer purchases them under a dedicated piston grade.
Does Old Cast Aluminum Have to Be Free of Iron?
Material intended to qualify as Tense must be free of iron and other specified foreign materials.
However, some scrap yards also purchase cast aluminum containing attached iron or steel under a separate contaminated grade.
Before removing steel fasteners, determine whether the buyer:
- Accepts attached bolts and studs
- Requires bearings or bushings to be removed
- Has a separate Irony Cast price
- Uses specific contamination or recovery deductions
- Requires preparation for larger commercial loads
Removing significant attachments may improve the recoverable aluminum fraction. Whether it improves net proceeds depends on preparation costs.
Can Old Cast Aluminum Contain Oil or Grease?
Engine blocks, transmission cases and machinery housings may contain residual lubricating oils, grease or other fluids.
The Tense specification permits a combined oil and grease content of no more than 2%.
Excessive fluid contamination can affect material grading, transportation, safe handling and downstream recovery.
Businesses dismantling vehicles and industrial equipment should manage fluids through appropriate procedures, collection systems and regulatory requirements.
Safety note: Do not discharge used oil, coolant or other equipment fluids onto the ground, into storm drains or into ordinary waste streams. Fluid removal should be performed using suitable equipment and procedures by qualified personnel.
What Affects Old Cast Aluminum Scrap Prices?
Old Cast Aluminum Scrap prices depend on recoverable metal content, alloy mix, cleanliness, contamination, quantity, location and market conditions.
Clean material meeting a recognized casting specification may receive a different quotation from dirty castings with steel attachments or other contamination.
Key Factors Affecting the Buying Price
- Alloy composition: Different casting alloys have different downstream chemistry requirements.
- Cleanliness: Iron, brass, rubber, plastic and dirt may affect classification.
- Oil and grease: Excess residues can lead to deductions or rejection.
- Scrap grade: Old Cast, Tense, Auto Cast, New Cast and Dirty Cast may be purchased separately.
- Foreign metals: Steel shafts, bearings and brass fittings reduce the clean aluminum fraction.
- Quantity: Large, consistent shipments may qualify for different commercial terms.
- Market conditions: Aluminum markets and secondary alloy demand influence purchasing.
- Location: Freight costs, regional processing capacity and competition affect net prices.
Available Old Cast Aluminum Scrap Prices
Review the available RecyclingMonster price records below. Confirm that the material classification, observation date, location, currency and price unit match the quotation being evaluated.
price
For cast-aluminum market data, visit Aluminum Cast Scrap Prices. Broader comparisons are available through Aluminum Scrap Prices and Aluminum Die Cast Scrap Prices.
General cast prices, die-cast prices and historical Old Cast observations should not be treated as interchangeable or guaranteed current purchase offers.
Is Old Cast Aluminum Worth Less Than New Cast?
There is no permanent price relationship between Old Cast and New Cast.
New production scrap may have advantages when its alloy composition is documented and contamination is limited.
Old Cast can require additional separation of steel fasteners, bearings, oils and other materials.
However, actual purchasing prices also depend on the alloy, buyer requirements, processing costs and market conditions.
The best comparison is between current quotations for clearly defined grades rather than an assumed discount for all Old Cast material.
How to Sort and Prepare Old Cast Aluminum for Sale
Proper preparation begins with identifying the casting material and separating grades before unrelated components become mixed.
- Separate aluminum from ferrous metals: Keep cast aluminum apart from cast iron and steel.
- Sort clean and dirty cast: Do not mix prepared castings with heavily attached assemblies when the buyer maintains separate grades.
- Identify automotive castings: Keep Auto Cast separate where a dedicated purchasing category is available.
- Separate wheels and pistons: Check whether these products qualify for different commercial grades.
- Remove foreign attachments where appropriate: Identify steel shafts, bolts, brackets, bearings and brass components.
- Manage fluids: Use appropriate equipment and procedures for oil, grease and other residual fluids.
- Keep material free of unnecessary contamination: Avoid adding dirt, rubber, plastic or unrelated scrap.
- Identify uncertain alloys: Set aside suspected magnesium or other non-aluminum material for qualified verification.
- Document the load: Record material source, grade, quantity and preparation.
- Confirm commercial terms: Obtain the buyer's specifications before shipment.
Preparation warning: Do not burn, melt or chemically clean castings to remove attachments. Sealed components, trapped fluids and moisture may create serious hazards during high-temperature processing. Industrial preparation must follow appropriate safety procedures.
How Is Old Cast Aluminum Recycled?
Suitable Old Cast Aluminum can become secondary aluminum feedstock after professional inspection, material separation and processing.
A typical commercial recycling route may include:
- Receiving and inspection: Material is weighed and classified by type and condition.
- Material identification: Aluminum castings are separated from ferrous and other nonferrous metals.
- Attachment removal: Steel, brass, plastics and other unwanted components are separated where required.
- Fluid and contamination management: Oil, grease and other residues are controlled through appropriate processing.
- Scrap preparation: Castings are reduced to suitable sizes or prepared for the receiving recovery process.
- Melting: Accepted aluminum feedstock is processed in industrial melting equipment.
- Alloy adjustment: Metal composition is controlled to meet downstream specifications.
- Quality verification: Recovered aluminum is checked for the intended manufacturing application.
Recycled cast aluminum can be used in suitable automotive, industrial and other aluminum-alloy products. Not every recycled casting returns to the same alloy or end use.
Where Can You Sell Old Cast Aluminum?
Old Cast Aluminum may be purchased by nonferrous scrap yards, automotive recyclers, metal processors and secondary aluminum consumers.
Not every facility maintains a separate Old Cast buying grade. Some accept general Cast Aluminum, while others distinguish Tense, Auto Cast, New Cast and Dirty Cast.
yards
Use RecyclingMonster's Recycle an Item directory, which lists Old Cast Aluminum among searchable materials.
For automotive material, consult Auto Cast Recycling Centers. You can also research buyers through the Metal Recycling Centers Directory.
Directory inclusion does not guarantee that a business currently buys every condition or grade of Old Cast. Confirm its acceptance requirements, minimum quantities and current purchasing terms before delivery.
Bulk Old Cast Aluminum Scrap: Commercial Requirements
Automotive dismantlers, engine rebuilders, machinery manufacturers, equipment recyclers and industrial dismantling contractors can generate substantial quantities of cast-aluminum scrap.
For regular or bulk loads, buyers and sellers should confirm:
- Acceptance under Tense, Trump or another written specification
- Clean, Dirty, Irony or Auto Cast grading rules
- Known alloy composition and testing requirements
- Permitted iron, steel and brass attachments
- Oil and grease limits
- Separate treatment of aluminum wheels and pistons
- Minimum load size and frequency
- Maximum dimensions and preparation requirements
- Container, gaylord or roll-off service availability
- Loading, transport and unloading responsibilities
- Delivered versus collected price quotations
- Weight verification, deductions and rejection conditions
- Payment terms and supporting documentation
Sorting clean aluminum castings at the point of generation can reduce downstream preparation and improve material consistency. It does not guarantee higher net returns after labor, freight and processing expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Old Cast Aluminum
What is the ReMA/ISRI code for Old Cast Aluminum?
Tense is the principal specification for clean Mixed Aluminum Castings. Old Cast is a broader scrap-yard term and does not automatically mean the material meets Tense.
What is the difference between clean and dirty cast aluminum?
Clean Cast meets the buyer's requirements for minimal foreign materials. Dirty Cast may contain steel fasteners, bearings, rubber, plastic, oil or other attachments and may receive a different grade.
How much oil and grease are allowed in Tense aluminum?
Combined oil and grease must not exceed 2% by weight under the ReMA/ISRI Tense specification.
Can aluminum wheels and pistons be sold as Old Cast?
Some buyers accept them within broader aluminum categories, but wheels and pistons may have dedicated grades. Confirm the buyer's requirements before mixing them with Old Cast.
How much is Old Cast Aluminum worth per pound?
Prices vary by grade, alloy composition, cleanliness, attachments, location and reporting date. Compare current quotations for the same material category.
Explore More Aluminum Scrap and Recycling Resources
Compare related cast-aluminum categories, review reported scrap prices and locate potential recycling facilities through RecyclingMonster.
Material information and safety notice: Aluminum scrap grades, prices and buyer requirements vary by alloy, condition, location and reporting date. Used automotive and machinery castings may contain residual fluids and foreign components requiring appropriate handling. ReMA/ISRI descriptions are provided for educational reference. Final purchasing and shipment conditions depend on the applicable buyer-seller agreement.