NON FERROUS MATERIALS

Non-Ferrous

Non-ferrous metals and their alloys do not contain iron as a

principle ingredient, although they may contain small
percentages.
Al, Cu, Zn, Mg, Ti, Ni, Co, W, V
and their alloys all except of Fe and ferrous alloys (steels
and cast irons)

INTRODUCTION

Non-Ferrous Materials

Steel and other ferrous alloys are consumed in exceedingly

large quantities. However, they have some distinct
limitations:
Low corrosion resistance
High density
High temperature strength could be better
Poor electrical conductivity.
Non-ferrous metals are used because of desirable properties
such as low weight (e.g. aluminium), higher conductivity
(e.g. copper), non-magnetic property or resistance to
corrosion (e.g. zinc). Some non-ferrous materials are also
used in the iron and steel industries. For example, bauxite is
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used as flux for blast furnaces.

INTRODUCTION

Non-Ferrous

Aluminum, beryllium, and titanium are used in

structural applications.
Light metals such as lithium, magnesium, potassium,
and sodium also have important engineering applications.
Nickel and lead have widespread applications as does
copper which is often chosen for its high thermal and
electrical conductivity.
Cadmium, tin, and zinc are often used as coatings,
electrical applications, and for bearing surfaces.
Cobalt and manganese are common alloying elements
in steels.
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CLASSIFICATION OF NONFERROUS MATERIALS

a) Density based:
light metals and alloys < 5000 kg/m3 (Mg, Al, Ti)
medium metals and alloys = 5000...10000 kg/m3
(Sn, Zn, Sb, Cr, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu)
heavy metals and alloys >10000 kg/m3 (Pb, Ag,
Au, Ta, W, Mo)
b) Melting temperature based:
low melting point Tm < TmPb = 327 C (Sn, Pb, Bi)
medium melting point = 3271539 C (Al, Mg,
Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Ag, Au)
refractory Tm > TmFe = 1539 C

CLASSIFICATION OF NON-FERROUS
MATERIALS
c) Pure metals and alloys :
Pure Metals : Al, Cu, Cr, Ni
Alloys : Brass, Bronze
d) Heat treatment based:
HT: annealing, hardening, aging
Non - heat treatable
Heat treatable (HT)

HEAT TREATMENT OF NON

FERROUS MATERIALS
1.Annealing :
Non-Ferrous

It consists of three stages:

(1) heating to the desired temperature,
(2) holding or soaking at that temperature,
and
(3) cooling, usually to room temperature.
Time is an important parameter in these
procedures.
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ANNEALING

Process annealing is a heat treatment that is

used to negate the effects of cold work , that is, to
soften and increase the ductility of a previously
strain-hardened metal.

Non-Ferrous

Process annealing :

Recovery and recrystallization processes are

allowed to occur.
Ordinarily a fine-grained microstructure is
desired, and therefore, the heat treatment is
terminated before appreciable grain growth has
occurred.

ANNEALING

Stress Relief :

They may be eliminated by a stress relief annealing

heat treatment in which the piece is heated to the
recommended temperature, held there long enough to
attain a uniform temperature, and finally cooled to
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room temperature.

Non-Ferrous

Internal residual stresses may develop in metal pieces in

response to the following:
(1) plastic deformation processes such as machining
(2) Non-uniform cooling of a piece that was processed or
fabricated at an elevated temperature.

HEAT TREATMENT OF NON

FERROUS MATERIALS
2.PRECIPITATION HARDENING:
Non-Ferrous

The

strength and hardness of some metal alloys

may be enhanced by the formationof extremely
small uniformly dispersed particles of a second
phase within the original phase matrix; The
process is called precipitation hardening.

Age

hardening is also used to designate this

procedure because the strength develops
with time, or as the alloy ages.

PRECIPITATION HARDENING

Consider a hypothetical phase diagram for a

precipitation-hardenable alloy of composition Co.
Non-Ferrous

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PRECIPITATION HARDENING

Solution heat treatment :

Non-Ferrous

The treatment consists of heating the alloy to a

temperature within the phase fieldsay T ,and
waiting until all the phase that may have been
present is completely dissolved.
At this point, the alloy consists only of an phase of
composition C .
0

This procedure is followed by rapid cooling or quenching

to temperature which for many alloys is room temp., to
the extent that any diffusion and the accompanying
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formation of any of the phase are prevented.

PRECIPITATION HARDENING

The precipitate phase begins to form as finely dispersed

particles of composition C, which process is termed aging.

Non-Ferrous

Precipitation Heat Treating :

The supersaturated solid solution is heated to an
intermediate temperature T2(Figure1)at which temperature
diffusion rates become appreciable.

After the appropriate aging time at T2 ,the alloy is cooled to

room temperature.
The strength and hardness of the alloy, depend on both the
precipitation temperature and the aging time at this
temperature.

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PRECIPITATION HARDENING

Non-Ferrous

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ALUMINIUM
Properties :
very lightweight (about 1/3 the mass of an equivalent volume of
steel or copper) but with alloying can become very strong.
excellent thermal conductor.
excellent electrical conductor (on a weight-for-mass basis,
aluminium will conduct more than twice as much electricity as
copper).
highly corrosion resistant in air and water (including sea water)
highly workable and can be formed into almost any structural
shape.
non-magnetic
highly reflective to radiant energy in the electromagnetic
spectrum
non toxic.

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ALUMINIUM
Applications:
Building & Construction Industry:
door and window frames
wall cladding, roofing.
Manufacture of Electrical Products:
high tension power lines, wires, cables,
components for television ,refrigerators and air-conditioners
Packaging & Containers:
beverage cans, bottle tops
foil wrap, foil semi-rigid containers
Aeronautical, Aviation & Automotive Industries:
propellers
airplane and vehicle body sheet

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COPPER
Properties :
Good electrical conductor
Good thermal conductivity

Ductile

Non-Ferrous

Corrosion resistant

Tough
Non magnetic
Recyclable
Easy to alloy
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COPPER
Applications :
Architecture
Automotive

Power Quality

Non-Ferrous

Electrical Energy Efficiency

Tube, Pipe & Fittings

Fuel Gas
Copper tube is an excellent choice for natural gas piping
systems.
Industrial
Copper serves as an essential material in a vast number of
industries.

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BRONZE
Bronze is an alloy of copper and any other metal. Aluminum
bronzes, tin bronzes, phosphor bronzes, nickel bronzes, and
silicon bronzes are all examples of varying alloys.

Applications :

Non-Ferrous

The principle alloying element determines the nomenclature.

Bearings
structural applications,
decorative uses
transport and handling of items such as explosives, fuels, and
flammable materials.
Bronzes are often used in statues

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MAGNESIUM
Properties :
light material, lighter than aluminium.
Magnesium is a very active metal.
Non-Ferrous

Good high temperature mechanical properties.

Excellent corrosion resistant.
Applications :It is used as an alloying element in steels and in
applications which require high strength-to-weight ratios, such as
extension ladders, aircraft, space vehicles, power tools, and
similar applications.

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CHROMIUM
Properties :
Tough
Wear resistant

Applications :

Non-Ferrous

Corrosion resistant

Chromium is often used in decorative and corrosion-resistant

coatings. It is a major alloying element in many steels, especially
stainless steels.

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NICKEL
Properties :

Hard

Non-Ferrous

Magnetic

Malleable
Ductile
Applications :
Nickel is used as a plating material. It polishes to a high luster. It
offers a wide working temperature range. Nickel is also used in
magnets, heating elements, thermocouples, and rechargeable
batteries.

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TITANIUM
Properties :
High strength

High crack resistant

Non-Ferrous

Withstand moderately high temperatures without creeping

Good corrosion resistant

Applications :
It is an important metal for the aerospace industry.
It is also used in the medical field for instruments and
artificial joint replacements.
Titanium is in aircraft, armor plating, naval ships,
spacecraft, and missiles.

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ZINC
Properties :

Brittle at low temperature

Non-Ferrous

Medium hardness

Extremely ductile
Good corrosion resistant
Applications :
Zinc is commonly used as a plating material for steels. This
product is termed galvanized steel.
It is the familiar grayish coating seen on products such as nails
and sheets. Zinc oxide is used in paints, glass, cements, and
medicines.

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Non-Ferrous

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