Iron, chromium, and manganese are listed as ferrous; Include 64 metals other than iron, chromium, and manganese as non-ferrous metals. What is non-ferrous metal? What is ferrous, and what is the difference between non-ferrous metals and ferrous? Steel, pig iron, copper, aluminum, stainless steel are all familiar terms in our daily lives, which belong to metals. Sometimes we can’t distinguish between non-ferrous metals and ferrous. In this article, we’re going to tell you the differences between non-ferrous and ferrous.
What Is Non-Ferrous Metal?
Non-ferrous metals are a category of metals that do not contain iron as the primary element. They are metals and alloys that exclude iron, chromium, and manganese. Non-ferrous metals have various applications and properties that make them valuable in different industries.
Non-ferrous metals are known for their corrosion resistance, high conductivity, low weight, and malleability. They are widely used in electrical wiring, construction, transportation, aerospace, and many other industries.
Examples of non-ferrous metals include aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, titanium, and various precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. Non-ferrous metals are often preferred in situations where their specific properties are advantageous, such as in electrical wiring where conductivity is essential or in corrosive environments where resistance to rust and oxidation is crucial.
These metals and their alloys have diverse applications in different sectors, ranging from household items like kitchen utensils and cans to industrial components like aircraft parts and electrical conductors.
What Is Ferrous Metal?
Ferrous metals and alloys are primarily based on iron as the fundamental component. It refers to materials such as iron, steel, pig iron, and stainless steel. These metals are often characterized by their dark or black appearance, hence the name “ferrous.”
Iron is the main ingredient in ferrous, and it is commonly alloyed with carbon to create steel. Pig iron, on the other hand, is produced by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace and is primarily used in steelmaking or for manufacturing castings. Stainless steel is a specific type of steel that contains a high amount of chromium, which provides it with excellent resistance to corrosion.
Black metals, particularly steel, are widely used in various industries due to their strength, durability, and versatility. They are utilized in construction, automotive manufacturing, infrastructure, machinery, and many other applications where high strength and reliability are required.
It is important to note that the term “ferrous” is primarily used to distinguish these iron-based materials from non-ferrous metals, which do not contain iron as the primary component. Non-ferrous metals, as mentioned earlier, include metals like aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, and others.
Ferrous Metal vs Non-Ferrous Metal
- The main difference between non-ferrous and ferrous metals lies in their composition. Ferrous metals contain iron as their primary component, while non-ferrous metals do not.
- Ferrous metals, such as steel, light iron, cast iron, and wrought iron, are magnetic because of their iron content. These metals are commonly found in scrapped vehicles and are widely used in various industries. However, they are prone to corrosion and may not always be salvageable. Ferrous metals are also more readily available, which means they generally have a lower value compared to non-ferrous metals.
- On the other hand, non-ferrous metals, including aluminum, lead, copper, tin, zinc, and brass, do not contain significant amounts of iron. Precious metals like gold and silver also fall into this category. Non-ferrous metals are not magnetic and are highly durable, resistant to corrosion, and do not degrade over time.
- Non-ferrous metals, especially copper, tin, and precious metals, are generally more valuable than ferrous metals. They are highly sought after for recycling purposes due to their higher worth.
- In terms of recycling, both non-ferrous and ferrous metals can be processed and recycled in a similar manner. Powerful magnets are used to separate the magnetic ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals. The metals may undergo further sorting, shredding, and shearing before being melted and formed into new shapes or baled into large blocks.
It’s worth noting that Miller Recycling handles some of these recycling steps in-house and even ships recyclable materials, including metals, to other countries for processing. This allows them to offer competitive prices for scrap metal and continue operating locally.