Tense is generally associated with mixed aluminium castings, while Taint/Tabor is generally associated with prepared mixed old aluminium sheet and similar wrought forms. Exact acceptance varies by contract, facility and nomenclature edition. Buyers should specify the included product forms rather than relying on the code word alone.
Tense
Evaluate casting alloy mix, iron inserts, bushings, oil, dirt, breakage, oversized pieces and closed or sealed components. Plant yield and chemistry can vary materially across automotive, machinery and household casting streams.
Taint / Tabor
Evaluate wrought-versus-cast mixing, coatings, plastics, rubber, thermal breaks, iron attachments, moisture and heavy gauge items. Preparation and sorting determine furnace suitability.
Inspection priorities
- Material-form distribution across the lot.
- Free iron and concealed attachments.
- Paint, plastic, rubber, insulation, glass and other non-metallics.
- Oil, dirt and free moisture.
- Alloy segregation and chemistry where the end use requires it.
- Oversize, closed sections and prohibited material.
Commercial treatment
Prices should reflect the relevant aluminium reference, recoverable yield, alloy value or penalty, treatment cost, freight and destination economics. A fixed percentage of an aluminium benchmark can be misleading if the actual alloy mix or recovery is not controlled.
General commercial guidance only. Grade nomenclature and market practice vary. The signed contract, current official specifications and transaction-specific professional advice control.