Topic: Value Guides
Clean scrap aluminium is worth roughly A$1.50—$3.50 per kilogram in Adelaide, depending on grade. Extrusion and domestic aluminium sit in that band, while alloy wheels sit lower at A$2.50—$3.00 per kilo because tyres and weights have to come off first.
Aluminium is the metal people most often misidentify and most often under-sort. This guide covers how to tell the grades apart and what moves the rate.
Current aluminium scrap rates
| Aluminium grade | Indicative rate per kg | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium extrusion | A$2.50-$3.50 | Window and door frames, profiles, structural sections |
| Aluminium domestic / sheet | A$1.50-$2.50 | Mixed household aluminium, sheet, guttering |
| Alloy / mag wheels | A$2.50-$3.00 | Car wheels, once tyres and weights are removed |
| Cast aluminium | Assessed in store | Engine parts, gearbox housings, outdoor furniture |
Rates reviewed 3 November 2026. For the current in-store figures see aluminium scrap prices, or call 08 7225 9998 — rates move with the global aluminium market.
Why aluminium is worth less than copper or brass
Aluminium is abundant, and producing it from recycled scrap uses a small fraction of the energy needed to make it from raw bauxite ore. That makes recycled aluminium genuinely valuable to industry — but the base metal itself trades far below copper.
The result is that aluminium rewards volume and cleanliness. A single window frame is worth little. A trailer of clean, sorted extrusion is worth the trip.
The aluminium grades explained
Extrusion
Aluminium pushed through a die to create a consistent profile. Window frames, door frames, shopfront sections and structural profiles are all extrusion. It is usually a clean, consistent alloy, which is why it grades well — provided the steel screws, rubber seals and glass have been removed.
Domestic and sheet
Mixed household aluminium: sheet, flashing, guttering, light pressings and assorted offcuts. Priced similarly to extrusion when clean.
Cast aluminium
Poured into moulds rather than rolled or extruded. Engine blocks, gearbox housings, outdoor furniture and machinery casings. Cast aluminium has a grainy, dull appearance and is more brittle than extrusion — it will snap rather than bend.
Alloy wheels
Car wheels are a specific aluminium alloy and are priced as their own category. Our guide to mag wheel scrap value covers them in detail.
Cans
Aluminium drink cans are very light, so they take a lot of volume to add up to meaningful weight. South Australia’s container deposit scheme usually returns more per can than scrap rates do.
How to identify aluminium
Magnet test — aluminium is not magnetic. If a magnet sticks, it is steel.
Weight — aluminium is roughly a third the weight of steel. A piece that looks like steel but feels surprisingly light is almost always aluminium.
Colour — silvery-white, often with a dull matte finish where it has oxidised.
Stainless versus aluminium — both are silvery, but stainless is much heavier. If it is heavy and silvery, check the steel and stainless guide instead.
For identifying every metal in a mixed pile, see our guide to sorting scrap metal before selling.
What lowers the value of aluminium
| Contaminant | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Steel screws and brackets | Drops the grade | Unscrew or cut away where safe |
| Rubber seals and gaskets | Adds non-metal weight | Pull out window seals |
| Glass in window frames | Must be removed | Remove before bringing in |
| Paint and powder coating | Can lower the grade | Usually accepted, may affect rate |
| Plastic thermal breaks | Adds non-metal weight | Common in modern windows |
| Mixed alloys | Averaged down | Keep cast separate from extrusion |
The single most useful step is separating cast aluminium from extrusion. They are different alloys, and mixing them means the load is priced conservatively.
Where scrap aluminium comes from
Renovations — replaced windows and sliding doors are the biggest single source.
Shopfronts and commercial fit-outs — large volumes of clean extrusion.
Boats and trailers — aluminium hulls and frames.
Outdoor furniture — usually cast aluminium.
Car parts — wheels, engine components and some body panels.
Ladders and scaffolding — typically clean extrusion.
Selling aluminium in Adelaide
Bring sorted aluminium to SA Copper Scraps at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. Extrusion, sheet, cast and wheels are each graded and weighed separately on calibrated scales while you watch, and you are paid before you leave.
For larger volumes, call 08 7225 9998 before you travel. See our aluminium buying service for trade and bulk loads.
Frequently asked questions
What is scrap aluminium worth per kg in Adelaide?
Clean aluminium extrusion and domestic aluminium sit around A$1.50—$3.50 per kilogram on current Adelaide benchmarks. Alloy wheels sit lower at about A$2.50—$3.00 per kilo, and cast aluminium is assessed in store.
Why is aluminium worth less than copper?
Aluminium is far more abundant and trades much lower as a base metal. Recycled aluminium is valuable to industry because it saves enormous energy compared with making it from ore, but the per-kilo rate stays well below copper.
What is the difference between extrusion and cast aluminium?
Extrusion is aluminium pushed through a die into a consistent profile, like window frames. Cast aluminium is poured into moulds, like engine parts, and has a grainy, brittle texture. They are different alloys and should be kept separate.
How can I tell aluminium from stainless steel?
Both are silvery, but aluminium is roughly a third the weight. Stainless is heavy for its size; aluminium feels surprisingly light. Neither is strongly magnetic.
Do you buy aluminium window frames?
Yes. Remove the glass first, and take out rubber seals and steel screws where it is safe to do so. Clean frames grade as extrusion.
Are aluminium cans worth selling as scrap?
Cans are very light, so they take a lot of volume to add up. South Australia’s container deposit scheme usually pays more per can than scrap rates.
Should I remove screws and rubber from aluminium?
Where it is safe and practical, yes. Steel screws and rubber seals drag the grade down. Small amounts can be dealt with at the yard.
Is aluminium magnetic?
No. If a magnet sticks, the metal is steel or iron, not aluminium.
Are alloy wheels aluminium scrap?
Yes, but they are priced as their own category. Tyres, valve stems and wheel weights must be removed before weighing.
Where can I sell scrap aluminium in Adelaide?
SA Copper Scraps buys aluminium at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. Each grade is weighed separately on calibrated scales and paid before you leave.
Final word
Aluminium rewards two things: volume and separation. Keep cast apart from extrusion, get the steel screws and glass off, and it grades properly.
Call 08 7225 9998 for today’s rate, or see current aluminium scrap prices.
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