How do I dispute a buyer's claim that my aluminium is contaminated with zinc or magnesium?
Short answer: Ask to see the actual test result, not just a verbal "contaminated" claim. Reputable buyers use a handheld XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyzer that gives an elemental composition reading in seconds — you're entitled to see that percentage breakdown. If a buyer won't show you a reading or won't retest in front of you, that's a reasonable basis to ask for a second opinion elsewhere.
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List Free →Why this claim matters so much
Zinc and magnesium aren’t trivial contaminants — even small amounts change how an aluminium alloy behaves when it’s remelted, and can cause real problems for the buyer downstream (spatter, porosity, inconsistent alloy grade in the resulting ingot). So it’s a legitimate reason for a price adjustment when it’s real. The issue for sellers is that “contaminated” is sometimes used as a vague catch-all without evidence.
What to ask for
- The actual reading. A handheld XRF analyzer reports elemental composition as a percentage breakdown, not just a pass/fail. Ask to see that number rather than accepting “it’s contaminated” at face value.
- To watch the test. If it’s feasible, ask to be present when the material is tested, and on which specific piece from your load the reading was taken — one contaminated offcut doesn’t necessarily mean the whole load is.
- A second sample. If your load is large and the claim seems to apply to all of it, ask for a second reading on a different section before accepting a blanket downgrade.
If the buyer won’t provide evidence
A buyer who refuses to show a reading, refuses to retest, or gives a different explanation each time you ask is a reasonable basis for taking your material elsewhere. Genuine contamination claims are usually easy for a legitimate buyer to substantiate quickly — it should not feel like you’re being stonewalled.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
This is precisely the kind of dispute ScrapTrade’s verified-buyer standards are designed to reduce — buyers are expected to substantiate a grading downgrade, not just assert one, and disputes can be raised through the platform rather than argued alone in a yard.
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