FERROUS MATERIALS

Ferrous materials are all made up from one element that is included in their substances that make
them and it is iron. This iron is used in the form of pig iron. This iron is the base material of all
ferrous material as it is the main element of the compound mixtures that makes up the ferrous
materials
EXAMPLES
NAME

COMPOSITION

Cast iron

Alloy of carbon,
silicon and traces
of magnesium
sulphur and
phosphorous
Alloy of iron and
carbon

Mild steel

Medium
carbon
steel
High
carbon
steel
Stainless
steel

High
speed
steel

Alloy of iron and

carbon
Alloy of iron and
carbon
Alloy of iron and
carbon with
chromium,
magnesium and
nickel
Alloy of iron and
carbon with
tungsten
chromium
vanadium and
sometimes cobalt

NON FERROUS MATERIALS

PROPERTIES AND
CHARACTERISTICS
Hard skin softer underneath but
brittle corrodes by rusting

Tough ductile and malleable, has

got high tensile strength but is
easily affected by corrosion
Strong hard tough with a high
tensile strength but less ductile to
mild steel
Harder than medium carbon steel
and more brittle and can be heattreated to make it hard and tough
Hard and tough and resist wear and
corrosion

Very hard high abrasion and is heat

irresistible

USES