Scrap items containing copper and iron in physical admixture, such as electrical and electronic scrap, are pretreated with an aqueous reagent, such as an alkali metal sulfate or silicate, prior to recovery of the copper by preferential melting in an inert, liquid medium. The chemical pretreatment reduces the tendency of copper to alloy or braze with the iron and results in a substantially higher copper recovery in the preferential melting step.

A coating for roofs and the like to inexpensively provide protection from ultraviolet light and for wood or steel substrates to inexpensively provide flame or chemical resistance respectively. The coating comprises an adhesive and a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material. An additive to sealants, caulking, and other construction materials to inexpensively provide improved fire resistance and insulation and other enhanced properties. The additive comprises a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material.

A coating for support beams in buildings to protect their structural integrity in case of high heat events, for roofs and the like to inexpensively provide protection from ultraviolet light, for wood or steel substrates to inexpensively provide flame or chemical resistance respectively, and for protection of various other building substrates. The coating comprises an adhesive and a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material. An additive to sealants, caulking, and other construction materials to inexpensively provide improved fire resistance and insulation and other enhanced properties. The additive comprises a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material.