Copper and bronze are the most recognizable non-ferrous metals, with the discovery of copper marking the end of the stone age.
Around 1,200 BC, along with the birth of iron production, the use of ferrous metals became more customary, ultimately leading us into the iron age.
Ferrous metals are more prominently used in construction, shipping containers, piping, automobiles, and more. With a vulnerability to rust when exposed to moisture, the best long-term options include wrought iron and stainless steel.
Let's look at the classification of ferrous metals. Most ferrous metals are magnetic and are used in the production of refrigerators as well as motor and electrical pieces.
Stainless steel is one of the most durable of the ferrous metals due to its ability to self-heal. It is not only heat and corrosion resistant, but is durable and offers a better life-long value than most steels.
One of the hardest steels due to higher carbon content, carbon steel is used in the manufacturing of machine tools, drills, and blades.
The lack of iron in non-ferrous metals does give them a few advantages over ferrous metals, and that is their malleability as well as a higher resistance to rust and corrosion. Non-ferrous metals are often used for gutters, liquid pipes, roofing and more.
Aluminum's light weight makes it great for use of manufacturing food cans, aircraft, utensils, and cars.
Known for having a very low melting point, zinc is often used in galvanizing, or applying a protective coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting.
All-Type Welding and Fabrication, Inc. has extensive fabricating and welding a wide variety of commonly used ferrous and non-ferrous metals. To learn more about the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, contact us today.
What does ferrous mean?
a bluish-green, crystalline, saline-tasting, water soluble heptahydrated solid, used chiefly in the manufacture of iron salts