don't get cheated on comp heat sinks

**EcoSafe** · 12-22-2011, 01:51 PM

I have see this come up now and then, and it was tried on me.

thgere are two different types of conputer heat sinks. there are the ones stamped out if plate or sheet alu, and ther are those that are extruded.
it is easy to tell the difference, but many yards are not particularly familiar with e waste, and will many times try to count the extruded ones as eith plain alu sheet or cast alu. don't let them do this. you may have to educate them, a little concerning e waste.

**CMHN** · 12-22-2011, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the warning, I will have to keep my eye on this the next time I take my aluminum in.

**easyrecycle** · 12-22-2011, 03:11 PM

Make sure you take out the copper heat sinks. They may look like aluminum but they are copper plated with nickel. If you are unsure scratch test the bottom of the heat sink and see if you see copper.

The copper heat sinks that are plated with nickel will be very heavy..a good clue for you to check it.

**IdahoScrapper** · 12-22-2011, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by easyrecycle

Make sure you take out the copper heat sinks. They may look like aluminum but they are copper plated with nickel. If you are unsure scratch test the bottom of the heat sink and see if you see copper.

The copper heat sinks that are plated with nickel will be very heavy..a good clue for you to check it.

Where are these found? Computers? Servers? elsewhere?

**bjybjy** · 12-22-2011, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Where are these found? Computers? Servers? elsewhere?

I've been getting a lot of them in Dell P4 era computers. At first glance they look sort of like extruded aluminum, but tend to be a little shinier and the bottoms are a little thicker and definately more dense. The plating can be pretty thick so take a thick screwdriver or something and really scratch the bottom good. Go deep enough and you'll see that nice copper pink show through.

Often it is aluminum fin soddered to a plated copper base.

**CMHN** · 12-22-2011, 04:14 PM

Wow, even more to keep an eye out for thanks easy.

**scrap lap** · 12-22-2011, 04:33 PM

At my yard aluminum is aluminum is aluminum.

Only difference is clean or dirty..

**Mechanic688** · 12-22-2011, 04:43 PM

At my yard aluminum is aluminum is aluminum.

Then your getting took,, Smile and wait for the kiss.

**scrap lap** · 12-22-2011, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Then your getting took,, Smile and wait for the kiss.

What's the difference in payout, .10/lb? I don't move enough aluminum to have it make a noticable difference.

**jfw1961** · 03-24-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by scrap lap

At my yard aluminum is aluminum is aluminum.

Only difference is clean or dirty..

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Then your getting took,, Smile and wait for the kiss.

Can anyone tell me why a yard would care if the aluminum was extrusion or sheet?
I understand that extrusion cost more to manufacture but, it doesn't make sense that an entity which buys it with the intention of melting it down would care.

**ScrapperNJ26** · 12-22-2011, 04:56 PM

The one's on the cpu's are up to 70% nickle

**bjybjy** · 12-22-2011, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by ScrapperNJ26

The one's on the cpu's are up to 70% nickle

Not to be negative but this seems unlikely... any link to proof? I'd love to be proven wrong and find out my heat sinks are worth a lot more.

**ScrapperNJ26** · 12-22-2011, 07:44 PM

I have to find it again, don't have the link anymore.

**bjybjy** · 12-22-2011, 08:11 PM

Here are a couple pics of one type I encounter frequently:

**easyrecycle** · 12-22-2011, 08:45 PM

the photos that are posted above this post are dead on some copper type. I have some at the warehouse if I remember to take a photo of the diffident types...I just took a 55drum full of them in so don't as much as I did but hey..I needed the drum.

**Filthy** · 12-23-2011, 06:26 AM

what do i do with my laptop heatsinks like this one

i have a couple and im not really sure how to process them

**easyrecycle** · 12-23-2011, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Filthy

what do i do with my laptop heatsinks like this one

i have a couple and im not really sure how to process them

Cu+AL metal...I would not even spend the time to clean it. You should make around $1.60 (non-dealer) pricing.

**Filthy** · 12-23-2011, 11:59 AM

thanks brother

**newattitude** · 12-23-2011, 03:26 PM

I get the same most days for sheet and extrusion but my guy likes it separated at least. Sometimes there is a few cents difference. Only one time did I ever run across a heat sink with a copper circle in the center. Knocked it out in the vise.

**Dumpster-Dee** · 12-23-2011, 04:51 PM

How can that be newattitude ?? You say "my guy". I would understand if you had different "yard men" each time, but why would "your guy" change from time to time. All "you guys" have to do is google aluminum extrusion and you'll come up with plenty of pictures of extruded stuff....one, forget the name (Armstrong?) is a co. that makes heatsinks. You can print out a picture and take it to your yard. Don't let them get away with this nonsense, cause in my book, every penny counts.

don't get cheated on comp heat sinks

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