Metals are classified into two groups: ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals. So, what’s the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals?
The simple answer is that ferrous metals contain iron, whereas non-ferrous metals do not. A more detailed explanation is provided below.
Metals are naturally occurring elements of the earth’s crust (minerals), with this metal estimated to be 4% of the earth’s crust. Metal is derived from the Greek word “metallon,” a chemical element capable of forming ions. Metal has many uses, not only in the manufacturing industry but also in our daily lives.
Ferrous Metal
Ferrous metals are alloys in which iron is the main component. The fact that ferrous metal has strong mechanical and physical properties is an advantage. While the flaw is easily corroded (easy to rust). The first step in producing this metal is mining.
Ferrous metal is classified into two types: wrought iron and cast iron.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is an iron alloy with less than 0.08% carbon content. Wrought iron was historically refined into steel. Wrought iron has the following characteristics:
- Impurity content of about 5%
- A fibrous structure caused by slag added during the forging process
- Easy to shape because it is both malleable and soft
- A low-carbon content
Wrought iron is used to make fences, which is an example of an application. Because it is strong, easy to shape, and ductile, it can be easily formed into a fence and is long-lasting.
Cast Iron
Cast iron has a carbon content ranging from 2% to 6.67%. The higher the carbon content, the higher the hardness, but the object becomes brittle. Conversely, lower carbon content reduces hardness while increasing brittleness, causing the object to become ductile.
Cast iron is widely used in motorcycle, car, and construction frames, automotive industry parts, garden benches, and drainage components such as manhole covers and gratings.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron or carbon. Nonferrous metals are classified into several groups, including:
| Heavy Metal | Light Metal | Precious Metal | Refractory Metal |
| Nickel | Aluminum | Gold | Molybdenum |
| Zinc | Barium | Silver | Titanium |
| Copper | Calcium | Platinum | Wolfram |
| Tin | Zirconium | ||
| Lead |
Nickel
Nickel is considered a transition metal. With a density of 8.9 g/cm3, a melting point of 1455 °C, and a tensile strength of 400-500N/mm2, it is a high-strength material. Nickel is resistant to corrosion. Nickel is malleable in its pure form, but when combined with iron, chrome, and other metals, it can form hard stainless steel.
Because of its properties, nickel metal is frequently combined with other metals to produce rust-resistant and strong products. For example, spoons, forks, showers, and other household items.
Zinc (Zn)
With a density of 7.1 g/cm3, a melting point of 420°C, and tensile strengths for castings of 30 N/mm2 and compression of 110 N/mm2. Zinc is a bluish-white metal that is both shiny and diamagnetic. At most temperatures, the metal is hard and brittle, but malleable between 100 and 150 °C. Above 210°C, the metal hardens and can be crushed into powder.
Zinc is primarily used in the plating of steel to prevent rust. Furthermore, zinc is an essential mineral substance that is vital to the body. In common parlance, zinc also refers to a zinc plate used as a building material.
Copper
Because it has the properties of a conductor of heat and electricity, copper with the symbol Cu is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Lead
Lead is a soft metal that has a bluish or silvery ash color. Tensile strength 15-20 N/mm2, density 11.3 g/cm3, melting point 327 °C It’s malleable and malleable, with a low melting point. Lead is widely used in the production of batteries, metal products such as ammunition, underground electric cable coatings, soldering, and so on.
Aluminum (Al)
Aluminum accounts for about 8% of the earth’s surface and has the properties of being a malleable, flexible, malleable, recyclable, rust-resistant, conductor of electricity heat, and forging. Because aluminum is soft, it is frequently combined with other metals to obtain specific properties and strengths. In general, aluminum is used in 70% of automotive components, including pistons (fuses), engine blocks, cylinder heads, wheels, arms, and so on.
Gold (Au)
With a density of 19.3 g/cm3, a melting point of 1064 °C, and a tensile strength of 140 N/mm2, it is the densest material known. Precious metals are formed from rocks mixed with other minerals before becoming pure gold. The gold content must be separated from other minerals during the production process in order to become pure gold with a 99.99% concentration.
Gold is soft, durable, and easy to shape; it is commonly used for jewelry, coins, and medals.
Silver
Silver is a transition metal, with a density of 10.5 g/cm3, a melting point of 961.5 °C, and a tensile strength of 160 N/mm2. Silver is a lustrous metal that is soft, ductile, and flexible. It has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, even higher than copper, but due to its high cost, it is not widely used for electrical purposes.
Platinum (Pt)
Platinum (Pt) is a noble metal because it is one of the rare elements in the earth’s crust that is very unreactive and has a high corrosion resistance, even at high temperatures. Platinum has a density of 21.5 grams per cubic centimeter, a melting point of 1769 degrees Celsius, and a tensile strength of 200 N/mm2.
This metal is more ductile than gold, silver, or copper, but less malleable. Platinum is used in the manufacture of vehicle emission control equipment (catalytic converters), which convert toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gases into non-toxic pollutants.
Titanium (Ti)
Titanium is corrosion resistant, and its strength-to-density ratio is the highest of any metal. Titanium has the same properties as steel in its pure form but is 60% lighter.
Titanium can be alloyed with iron, aluminum, vanadium, and molybdenum to produce alloys with high strength but low weight, which are typically used in aviation applications such as jet engines, spacecraft, guided missiles (missiles), and so on.