Black and galvanised steel ≥1/8″ thick, prepared to size. Zinc coating is managed via the furnace off-gas system.

ISRI Grade Name: No. 2 Heavy Melting Steel (ISRI Grade 202)

ISRI Description and Specification

HMS 2 is the second-tier heavy melting steel grade, covering wrought iron and steel scrap — including black (uncoated) and galvanised steel — of minimum 1/8 inch (approximately 3.175 mm) material thickness, prepared to fit the buyer’s charging box dimensions. The galvanised steel allowance is the key distinction from HMS 1: galvanising introduces zinc coating (typically 45–600 g/m² of zinc per surface) which volatilises in the EAF during melting, generating zinc fumes that must be captured and managed through the furnace’s off-gas treatment system. Modern EAF dust (EAFD) generated from galvanised scrap smelting contains zinc oxide at concentrations suitable for Waelz kiln processing back to crude zinc oxide, partially offsetting the processing cost of the galvanised steel content. HMS 2 must still be prepared to size, free of sealed hollow bodies, excessive non-ferrous attachments, and non-metallic clinging material, though the tolerance for light coating and lighter gauge than HMS 1 is the defining commercial difference.

Sources of HMS 2 Material

HMS 2 arises from lighter structural demolition (lighter-gauge frames, sheet steel structures), end-of-life appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers — typically galvanised sheet), automotive body scrap that is not shredded, discarded agricultural implements, light industrial equipment, retail shelving, and galvanised roofing/wall cladding. The galvanised fraction is significant because galvanised steel is used extensively in construction (purlins, roofing, agricultural buildings), automotive bodies, appliances, and infrastructure, all of which generate end-of-life scrap flows in large volumes.

Who Uses HMS 2 Scrap

EAF steelmakers with zinc fume capture capability (bag filter or wet scrubber off-gas treatment systems that can handle zinc volatilisation) and induction furnace melt shops are the primary consumers of HMS 2. Because of the zinc content in galvanised HMS 2, buyers typically negotiate pricing at a discount to HMS 1 to account for the slightly higher residual element burden and fume management cost. However, in markets with limited scrap supply, the differential narrows and HMS 2 is consumed alongside HMS 1 as a cost-optimised charge mix. Indian induction furnace operators who are sensitive to zinc levels in their melt (as zinc can affect final product surface quality and cause furnace lining damage at high concentrations) may prefer lower-galvanised-content HMS 2 lots or blend carefully with HMS 1.