Swarf from machining stainless bar and castings — sold on nickel content after de-oiling, and segregated by grade because mixing 304, 316 and 400-series turnings destroys the value.
Swarf from machining stainless bar and castings — sold on nickel content after de-oiling, and segregated by grade because mixing 304, 316 and 400-series turnings destroys the value.
Stainless turnings come from the bar machining that makes fasteners, valves, fittings and pump shafts. They are oily, low in bulk density and, if the shop runs several grades, easily mixed. A lot of 304 turnings is bought on its nickel content, as solids are, with a discount for oil, moisture and fines.
Good practice at source is one bin per grade and a label; good practice at the yard is a centrifuge, a sample melt or an analyser check, and briquetting for shipment.
Stainless mills and nickel-alloy remelters buy turnings, often blended into solid charges. Containers carry them from Europe and the US to India, Taiwan, South Korea and the European mills. Free-machining 303, which contains sulphur, and 400-series turnings must be declared.
Code: Stainless turnings (18-8 and other)
The main importing countries for this grade — each links to the country page with its mills, smelters, price references and named firms.