Types of Metals

There are many different categories into which metals can be placed. Some metals may be
ductile, some may be brittle. Other metals could be magnetic, and some have no magnetism
at all. Some types of alloys can be precipitation hardened, and others cannot. The
aforementioned are important distinctions; however, when categorizing metals, one of the
most important differences worth noting is whether the metal in question is ferrous or non-
ferrous.

What is a Ferrous Metal?

A metal with the descriptor “ferrous” means that it has iron in its composition. The name
“ferrous” comes from iron’s chemical symbol of “Fe,” originating from the Latin “ferrum.”
When the term ferrous metal is used, it also usually implies that iron is a large percentage of
the elemental composition. If it’s not the most abundant element, it would probably be the
second or third most prolific. If a metal only contains trace amounts of iron, as many metals
do, then that small amount is not considered enough to declare the metal ferrous.

What are the Common Properties of Ferrous Metals?

It is difficult to assign common properties to ferrous metals, since they can have a wide
variety of alloying elements that greatly change their characteristics. For instance, many
ferrous metals are magnetic; however, it is not true for all ferrous metals. Some ferrous
metals, such as cast iron, are extremely strong and brittle. However, low carbon steel,
another type of ferrous metal, can be quite soft and ductile because it does not contain as
high of an amount of carbon as cast iron.

While it is difficult to place the properties of all ferrous materials under one umbrella, there
are some generalizations that can be made with some accuracy and metals that contain iron
have unique properties that non-ferrous metals do not share. Ferrous metals contain iron
and are valued for their extraordinary strength, ductility, weldability, elasticity, shear, thermal
expansion and durability under specific stressors, which make them staple materials within
the construction industry. Ferrous metals are normally intractable and not malleable,
meaning they do not bend as easily as the non-ferrous metals and are hard to work with. In
addition, most ferrous materials, with the exception of austenitic stainless steel and some
other grades, are also magnetic.

Most ferrous metals are Inexpensive, plentiful, easy to refine. Iron makes up approximately
5% of the Earth’s crust, and is the second most-common metal, behind aluminum. Despite
being less common, iron is much easier to refine and work with, making it cheaper than
aluminum. A downside to the ferrous metals is that they contain a high amount of carbon
and iron and are vulnerable to rust, meaning an orange coating appears on the metal when
it is exposed to moisture. Not only does rust degrade the appearance, it can weaken the
metal, making it a damaging characteristic most of the ferrous metals share.
Usage of Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals are used in both architectural and industrial manufacture and due to the
unique properties they possess, ferrous metals can be employed in a multitude of ways.
They are used extensively in the construction sector for example, where resilient and
resistant engineering steel is used to build large structures such as skyscrapers and bridges.
Furthermore, ferrous metals are used in shipping containers, cars, railroad tracks, etc. Cast
iron is used substantially in industrial water piping, where its hard-wearing properties are
valuable. Wrought iron is used for fencing and railings where its resistance to oxidation is
vital. The engineering sector also makes extensive use of ferrous metals for building
machines and tools.

Types of Ferrous Metals

There are many different types of ferrous metals used in various industries depending on
their individual properties:

Carbon Steel
Carbon steels are possibly the most widely used type of ferrous metal. They are primarily
made up of iron, with over 90% of their chemical composition being that element. The only
other major alloying element in carbon steel is carbon. There are only trace amounts of other
elements. Common applications of carbon steels include structures, furniture, and
automotive components.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is another group of ferrous metals that are commonly used. In general,
stainless steels have a high amount of chromium that helps them to resist corrosion better
than carbon steels. Stainless steels can be further broken down into subgroups. Austenitic
stainless steels have the most corrosion resistance, with high amounts of nickel and
chromium. There are also ferritic, martensitic, and duplex stainless steels. Each has their
own advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. Common applications of
stainless steels include appliances, pharmaceutical and medical equipment, food-grade
equipment, and knives.

● Cast Iron
Cast iron is a type of ferrous metal that has more carbon than most other types. This
gives it a high amount of strength. Although high in strength, it is quite brittle. The
lack of other alloying elements outside of iron and carbon make it a relatively
affordable ferrous metal. Common applications of cast iron include cookware, small
components subject to wear such as gears, rods, and pins, and mining equipment.

● Alloy Steel
Alloy steels are a type of ferrous metal specially formulated to serve specific
purposes. While composed primarily of iron, differing amounts of copper, vanadium,
tungsten, manganese, and other elements can be used to tailor an alloy steel to have
higher toughness, ductility, tensile strength, hardness, and other properties. Common
applications of alloy steels include tools, dies, and machining equipment.
 ● Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is an iron alloy with very low carbon content with respect to cast iron. It
is soft, ductile, magnetic, and has high elasticity and tensile strength. It can be
heated and reheated and worked into various shapes.Without the presence of
carbon, which fortifies iron, wrought iron isn't as strong as steel and is used for
fencing, nails, and barbed wire.

What is a Non-Ferrous Metal?

Non-ferrous metals have been used since the Copper Age, around 5,000 B.C. Ferrous
things contain iron because the metal 'iron' is represented by the symbol Fe. Something non-
ferrous is devoid of iron. Thus, a non-ferrous metal is a metal (or a mixture of two or more
metals) that contains inconsequential amounts or no amount of iron. Nearly all metal alloys
have some trace, or non-significant, amount of iron in their composition. This does not make
them ferrous alloys though because the minute presence of iron does not affect its
properties in a considerable way. Non-ferrous alloys generally have iron compositions of
less than one percent as measured by weight.

What are the Common Properties of Non-Ferrous Metals?

Just like ferrous metals, it is nearly impossible to define the common properties of non-
ferrous metals simply because there is such a large variety of metals that fall into the non-
ferrous category. Some non-ferrous metals are hard and brittle, some soft and ductile. Some
non-ferrous metals are made for cryogenic applications, others are made to withstand
extremely high temperatures. There are far more differences than there are similarities
among the different types of non-ferrous metals.

However, non-ferrous metals all do have one thing in common: They do not rust. That is not
to say that they don’t corrode. Several non-ferrous materials can be quite vulnerable to
corrosion. When it is said that they don’t rust, that means they will never form the red flaky
metal that is pervasive among pieces of steel and iron that are not protected from corrosive
environments. That is because rust is iron oxide. Since non-ferrous alloys have no significant
amount of iron, no iron is available to form iron oxide, and therefore no rust formation can
occur.

Non-ferrous metals can also be distinguished by their malleability. This means they can be
reshaped and reused, often without losing their valuable properties. This makes them ideal
for an extensive range of commercial industries. Another characteristic of non-ferrous metals
is that they are not magnetic.

The higher demand for non-ferrous metals means they are generally more expensive than
ferrous metals. However, because non-ferrous metals often cost more, they tend to be
chosen for their unique attributes, rather than for the ways they can behave like steel. Lighter
weights, conductivity, corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, tradition, or decorative
value are some of the reasons to choose a non-ferrous metal. Some metals are prized
exactly because they are rare: before widespread aluminum manufacturing was possible,
aluminum was a luxury metal used in high-end tableware.
Usage of Non-Ferrous Metals
Nonferrous metals have had many uses throughout history with copper and bronze being
heralded for advancing civilisation through from the stone age, when people learnt to mine
copper and tin to make bronze weapons. Due to the absence of iron, this metal family has a
higher resistance to rust and corrosion, which makes them ideal for use in liquid pipes,
roofing, gutters and outdoor signs. The high malleability of non-ferrous metals also makes
them great for creating jewelry and different manufacturing purposes. Non-ferrous metals
are non-magnetic, making them ideal for many wiring and electronic applications. Today
non-ferrous metals are essential for mechanical engineering, transport, aerospace,
construction, packaging, electricity and energy, electronics, and medical devices.

Common Types of Non-Ferrous Metals

Naturally, there is a very large list of non-ferrous metals – every metal that does not include
iron. The most common types of non-ferrous metals are:

● Precious metals – Precious metals like silver, platinum, and gold are often used for
decorative applications, but also has uses in manufacturing. Gold is an excellent
conductor and often used in small quantities in electronic devices and circuit boards.

● Aluminum – Aluminum is very strong and lightweight, compared to a ferrous alloy,

and resists corrosion, making it a great option for applications where weight is
important, like aerospace applications.

● Copper – Due to its ductility and high conductivity, copper is an extremely common
type of non-ferrous metal used for things like pipes, electrical connectors and more.

● Bronze and brass – Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, and brass is an alloy of
copper and zinc. Bronze and brass were first developed as far back as the 5th
millennium BC. Brass is durable yet ductile, while bronze is very dense and a good
conductor.

● Titanium – Titanium is very expensive, but extremely strong despite its low density,
making it ideal for applications where low weight and high strength are both required.
It’s commonly alloyed with other metals like iron, vanadium, aluminum, and
molybdenum.

While there are many other types of non-ferrous metals, these are some of the most well-
known and commonly-used types.