Toroidal Transformer Recycling

Hello Sven Eric

As far as I know, this "recycling for use in transformers", does not presently occur.

Steel:

The "Steel" used in these transformers is actually grain-oriented silicon steel, formulated and made for the special purpose.

Refer: http://www.alleghenytechnologies.com/ludlum/pages/products/xq/asp/G.5/qx/productLine.html

<"....Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel - GOES

ATI Allegheny Ludlum Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel (GOES) is processed under carefully controlled conditions to develop optimum magnetic characteristics in the rolling direction. GOES develops low core losses at high inductions when used as core material in designs with the flux path parallel to the rolling direction. These low losses at high inductions are attained with low exciting currents because of the excellent high induction permeability of GOES. In addition, the normal operating inductions for GOES are sufficiently below the magnetic saturation of the material to allow a comfortable margin of safety in most designs. Processing of GOES is carefully controlled in order to achieve a very high stacking factor for the core material. This stacking factor often exceeds 95% of the theoretical maximum. The high usable magnetic induction of GOES, along with the high stacking factor, allow compact core designs requiring the minimum amount of material to be used in the windings surrounding the core. This contributes to low losses, not only in the core (no load losses), but also allows for the minimum load losses or winding losses in the transformer.....">

The cost of using scrap steel, refining it, removing all impurities, then adding the correct materials to obtain the required characteristics would be far more expensive than using newly refined steel which has known characteristics, and the extra required materials are more easily added.

Please note the grain is run in the direction of rolling, as you may read in the above quote, at the time of making the steel sheet in large rolls, easily transported and ready for usage by transformer makers.

Copper:

Copper is more readily recycled, but without care may contain impurities such as tin and lead (from soldering operations), plus other impurities, and such copper is more easily used as a feedstock for plumbing and general wiring cable manufacturing.

Because in a Refinery, the copper metal characteristics are more easily controlled when the feedstock is from known sources (Ore from a copper mine), this unrecycled and uncontaminated copper is generally preferred by transformer makers.

With transformers, particularly large Power Transormers, please remember that the product life may be very long, many decades in most cases.

In such usage, a small saving in iron or copper costs at time of manufacture, are outweighed by the need to minimise long-term efficiency losses, and those efficiency losses are carefully minimised by controlling the quality of materials input.

As the old adage says: You get what you pay for.

Trust that assists you.

Kind Regards....

Europe is now subject to the WEEE directive. Does that help?