Average Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Price

Market baseline. Local prices last verified on 3/28/2026.
$0.15/ lb −$0.01 (5.9%)
Use this as a baseline for negotiations. Always call local yards to confirm their rate for your load size.GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.15
Lowest price $0.13
Highest price$0.19Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read scrap yard offers in Indiana

The min/max range reflects a blended index (local + national data). Your local high may be lower.

  • Low (around $0.13): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.15): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.19+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $0.14 to $0.19.
Apr '25Jul '25Oct '25Jan '26Today
Market response to CME pricing
Current spread vs. exchange (today): ~21.1% (-$0.04 / lb). Typical spread for this grade: 13%–19%
⚠️ Local prices haven't caught up with the exchange yet
Market snapshot
Upward trend. Prices have been rising over the past month.
Pricing verified from 2 live board rates in this area.

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) price reference for Indiana

Scrap yards in Indiana don't always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($0.13 / lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) prices across the U.S. →

Top Scrap Yards Buying Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Indiana

These are scrap yards in Indiana that recently updated Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) prices in our database. Call them to lock in a quote. If your city isn't listed, use the National Index above as a bargaining reference with your nearest buyer.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 12 days ago

Merrillville Metal Recycling

Listed as: Auto Cast
2743 E 83rd Pl, Merrillville, IN 46410 Get Directions
$0.19 / lb
Updated 18 days ago

JB's Salvage, Inc

Listed as: Clean Auto Cast
1803 Fountain Dr, Bloomington, IN 47404 Get Directions
$0.13 / lb

Don't see your scrap yard in Indiana? List it for free.

Hundreds of sellers in your area search for current scrap prices every day. Post your buy prices and start getting calls.

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Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) vs. Other Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Scrap Prices in Indiana

See the exact price difference between Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) and similar grades like Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) or #2 Prepared Steel. Compare the current rates per pound below to ensure you get the maximum payout for your sorted scrap.

Current price Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums)
Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.15 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.14 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
#2 Prepared Steel Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.13 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.12 / lb
Trend (30d): -6.3%
Price analytics
Light Iron & Shredder Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.12 / lb
Trend (30d): +6.8%
Price analytics
Cast Iron (Heavy) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.11 / lb
Trend (30d): +19.8%
Price analytics
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Tin (Sheet Metal) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.08 / lb
Trend (30d): +1.6%
Price analytics
Steel Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.05 / lb
Trend (90d): +12.5%
Price analytics
Wire Fence Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.04 / lb
Trend (90d): +37.5%
Price analytics

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Price Trends & Market History

This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it's dropping, don't wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (CME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.15
Scrap metal dealers
Price gap: −$0.04 / lb
vs. exchange

Today's world market price (CME)

$0.190 / lb
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The CME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between CME and what you pocket is the yard's margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month's average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) is 15.3%. That's in line with the typical range for this grade (12%–18%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
April 2026 (current)$0.1889 / lb$0.16 / lb−$0.03 (15.3%)
March 2026$0.1774 / lb$0.15 / lb−$0.03 (15.4%)
February 2026$0.1697 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.03 (17.5%)
January 2026$0.1692 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.03 (17.3%)
December 2025$0.1653 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.03 (15.3%)
November 2025$0.1626 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.02 (13.9%)
October 2025$0.1588 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.03 (18.1%)
September 2025$0.1557 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.03 (16.5%)
August 2025$0.1588 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.03 (18.1%)
July 2025$0.1592 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.03 (18.3%)
June 2025$0.1550 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.03 (16.1%)
May 2025$0.1579 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.03 (17.7%)
April 2025$0.1612 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.02 (13.2%)
March 2025$0.1692 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.03 (17.3%)
February 2025$0.1660 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.03 (15.7%)
January 2025$0.1664 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.03 (15.9%)

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Scrap Price History — Daily Data

A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
$0.16 / lb−$0.01$0.19 – $0.19
3/26/2026 $0.17 / lb— no change$0.17 – $0.17
3/24/2026 $0.17 / lb−$0.02$0.17 – $0.17
3/23/2026 $0.19 / lb+$0.06$0.19 – $0.19
3/22/2026 $0.13 / lb−$0.02$0.13 – $0.13
2/17/2026 $0.15 / lb+$0.02$0.15 – $0.15

Cashing In On Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums)

If you run a mechanic shop or do a lot of brake jobs in Indiana, Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) is a heavy, consistent money-maker. Unlike light sheet iron, brake rotors and drums are a premium foundry-grade cast iron. Because of its density and predictable melting point, scrap buyers are actively looking for it. Currently, our data shows yards are paying anywhere from $0.11 to $0.19 per pound, with the national average hovering right around $0.13. Since these parts are incredibly heavy, even a small bucket of old rotors can add up to a significant payout at the scale.

Don't Let the Scale Boss Downgrade Your Load

The cardinal sin of scrapping heavy cast is tossing it into a bin with lower-tier ferrous metals. If you mix your premium Automotive Cast Iron with light shred like Wire Fence or thin tin, the yard manager will downgrade the entire load to the lowest denominator. That lazy sorting mistake could cost you roughly $0.09 per pound instantly. Keep your rotors and drums in their own dedicated barrels to maximize your profit.

Field Prep for Maximum Payout

Sorting is simple: keep your auto cast clean and separate from regular steel scrap. You don't need to worry about the surface rust that naturally forms on old brake rotors—foundries expect it. However, you do need to make sure there are no excessive fluids, grease puddles, or non-ferrous attachments mixed in with your bin. A clean, dedicated barrel of nothing but rotors and drums guarantees the fastest weigh-in and the highest cast iron rate.

Yard Pro Tip: Watch out for modern composite brake rotors. Some newer or high-performance vehicles use rotors that feature a cast iron friction ring bolted or riveted to a lightweight aluminum 'hat' (the center hub). If you throw these mixed-metal composite rotors into your clean cast iron pile, the yard might catch it and downgrade the whole bin to a 'dirty aluminum' or standard light iron rate. Always check your load with a magnet and remove those aluminum centers if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do rotors and drums pay a different rate than regular steel?

Automotive Cast Iron is a specific, high-density material. Foundries prefer clean auto cast because it melts predictably and contains specific carbon levels compared to a random mix of standard steel scrap. This specialized industrial demand helps maintain a solid national average of $0.13 per pound.

How does the market dictate cast iron prices?

Like all ferrous metals, cast iron pricing is heavily tied to domestic mill demand, export orders, and the CME. Local buyers must factor in the heavy transportation and handling costs to move this dense material, meaning your local yard price will typically sit about 21.1% below spot market rates.

Do I need to clean the rust off my old brake rotors?

No, surface rust is completely normal and expected on used Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums). The scrap yard and the foundry do not care about rust. Just make sure there is no heavy grease or non-metallic garbage mixed in your load.