This article explains the differences between ferrous and non - ferrous metals through examples. The article explores the main characteristics of ferrous and non - ferrous metals and their main uses in different industries.
What are ferrous metals?
The term "ferrous metals" is not named for their color, but refers to metallic materials with iron (Fe) as the main component, also known as Ferrous Metals. These materials usually contain carbon and other alloying elements, such as chromium, nickel, or manganese, to adjust their mechanical and chemical properties.
1. Resistance and hardness
Black metals generally exhibit excellent resistance and hardness. Especially after heat treatment (such as quenching and tempering), their mechanical properties can be improved. This makes them the preferred material for high - resistance components that are widely used in fields such as heavy machinery, bridges, and frames.
2. Magnetic
Due to their iron content, most black metals have good magnetism, which makes them indispensable in electrical engineering applications such as motors, transformers, and electromagnetic devices.
3. Availability
Ordinary carbon steel and other black metals are prone to oxidation (rust) in humid environments. However, stainless steel, which is made by adding elements such as chromium and nickel, significantly increases its corrosion resistance and is suitable for use in industries such as the chemical, medical device, and food processing industries.
4. Density and weight
Black metal has a high density (generally around 7.8 g/cm³), resulting in a higher weight per unit volume. Although it is not conducive to light construction, it will be in situations that require great inertia or stability, such as machine tool bases and naval load, to an advantage.
5. Conductivity and ductility
Compared to non-ferrous metals such as copper and aluminum, black metals have lower electrical conductivity, but good ductility. They can be processed into various shapes by rolling, forging, drawing and other methods and provide a solid foundation for forming and cutting metals.
6. Typical examples and application scenarios for black metals
Carbon steel: used for the construction of steel bars, pipes, transmissions, etc. Often turned into parts by cnc turning or cnc milling.
Stainless steel (such as 304, 316): widely used in medical devices, kitchen appliances and chemical containers, with excellent corrosion resistance and weldability.
Cast iron: used for engine cylinder blocks and machine tool beds, with excellent damping and casting performance.
What is non-ferrous metal (Nichteisenmetall)?
Non-ferrous metals refer to metals that do not contain iron or contain only traces of iron, which generally have excellent corrosion resistance, have conductivity and lightness properties.
1. Low density and light weight advantages
The light metals represented by aluminum (density of about 2.7 g/cm³) and magnesium (about 1.74 g/cm³) weigh much less than steel (about 7.8 g/cm³). It is thus the preferred material for weight reduction and consumption reduction in the transport industry. For example, the use of aluminum alloy in the body of new energy vehicles can reduce weight by more than 30% and significantly improve endurance.
2. High conductivity and thermal conductivity
Copper is an excellent conductor only after silver, widespread in wires, cables, motor windings and electronic components. Although aluminum has slightly lower conductivity, due to its low cost and light weight, it is often used in high voltage transmission lines.
3. Excellent corrosion resistance
Aluminum naturally forms a dense oxide film in the air that has a self-protective capacity; Titanium remains stable in extreme environments such as strong acids and seawater and is used in biomedical fields such as chemical devices, ship components and artificial joints.
4. Good ductility and formability
Most non-ferrous metals are easy to roll, stretch, punch and bend, making them particularly suitable for processes such as forming sheet metal and aluminum plates, to meet the rapid manufacturing needs of complex components.
5. Non-magnetic properties
In scenarios where electromagnetic disturbances must be avoided (such as precision instruments, MRI devices, submarine shells), non-magnetic metals such as copper, aluminum and titanium are irreplaceable advantages.
6. Common examples and applications of non-ferrous metals
Aluminum alloy: used for aircraft skins, mobile phone cases, cooling bodies and can achieve high precision structural processing through CNC Milling.
Copper and copper alloys: used for printed plates, heat exchangers, valves, with excellent welding and galvanizing properties.
Titanium alloy: used in aeronautical engines, space vehicles, medical implants, with high strength and good biocompatibility, but it is difficult to process and requires High Precision CNC Milling.
Magnesium alloy: The lightest engineering metal used for laptop supports and drone frames, however, requires special protection to prevent oxidation.
In short, the difference between ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals lies not only in whether they contain iron, but also in the trade-offs of their properties: Ferrous metals are known for their high strength and low cost, while non-ferrous metals excel in light weight and excellent corrosion resistance - each has its own advantages, and is suitable for different manufacturing scenarios.
