In this article, you will learn the complete overview of non-ferrous metals such as their definition, types, uses, properties, and many more.
In our previous article, we learned about the different types of metals and their uses.
Metal can be classified into three categories which are: Ferrous Metal, Non-Ferrous Metal, and Alloys.
Here we will discuss only non-ferrous metals.
Non-ferrous metal is a metal, including alloys, that does not contain iron in appreciable amounts.
Their main advantage over ferrous materials is their malleability.
They also have no iron content, giving them a higher resistance to rust and corrosion, and making them ideal for liquid pipes, roofing, etc.
Lastly, they are non-magnetic, which is important for many electronic and wiring applications.
Generally more expensive than ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are used because of desirable properties such as low weight such as aluminum, higher conductivity such as copper, non-magnetic property, or resistance to corrosion such as zinc.
So, without wasting time let's get started.
What is Non-Ferrous Metal?
Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not have iron in them at all. This means that Non-ferrous metals are not attracted to a magnet and they also do not rust when exposed to moisture.
Properties of Non-Ferrous Metal
Non-ferrous metals have some well-known properties which are:
- High rust and corrosion resistant
- Non-magnetic
- Lightweight
- Recycling
Types of Non-Ferrous Metals
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Zinc
- Silver
- Gold
- Lead
- Nickle
- Mercury
- Tin
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Antimony
- Manganese
- Platinum
- Magnesium
Show in the figure different types of non-ferrous metal which are described below in detail.
| Non-Ferrous Metals |
Copper
Its main ores are copper pyrite, copper glans, and copper malachite.
It is a red and lustrous metal that is the best conductor of heat and electricity.
Its Melting point is 1083°C and It can be forged and cast.
It is a malleable and ductile metal, that softens on heating.
It is corrosion resistant and It doesn't rust.
It is useful for making domestic utensils, boilers, electric wires, electroplating, soldering iron, coins, guns, watches, etc.
It is also used for making pipes for chemical factories and engine fire boxes, etc.
Aluminum
Its main ores are bauxite and cryolite.
It is a bluish-white colored metal and a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Aluminum is light in weight and the melting point of this metal is 660°C.
Its boiling point is 1800°C and It is malleable and ductile metal
It is very soft and weak in its pure state.
Soldering and brazing activities cannot be done on this.
Electric wires and utensils are made from it.
Due to being light, it can be used in airplanes, ships, and railways.
Aluminum powder is used for making paint.
Zinc
Zinc is a white-blue colored metal.
This metal melts at 420°C.
It is brittle and hard but softens between 100°C to 150°C.
It is used to make alloys like bronze and brass.
Zink is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
This metal melts in salt and sulfuric acid.
Granular zinc is used to make hydrogen.
This is useful for making cells, and alloys like german silver, brass, bronze, etc.
It is also used in batteries.
Silver
Silver is a lustrous white-colored metal whose melting point is 960°C.
Silver is the best conductor of electricity.
It is used for making ornaments, utensils, silver coins, etc.
It is also used to make silver solder for brazing.
It is also used for electroplating.
It is useful in silver nitrate and bromide compounds in photography.
Gold
Pure gold is considered to be 24-carat. Which contains 22 parts gold and 2 parts impurities.
Its melting point is 1063°C and It is a shiny, heavy, and soft metal of yellow color.
It is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
It is a highly ductile, malleable metal whose boiling point is about 2600°C.
It is used in making jewelry and coins.
Its coating is done on other metals.
Lead
It is a blue-gray metal in appearance and the melting point of this metal is 326°C.
Lead is a very soft metal and can be cut with a knife.
Its tensile strength is low, but highly ductile, malleable metal.
It is used for making fuse wires, vermilion, battery plates, etc.
Lead oxide is an essential ingredient for paint.
Nickle
Nickle is a lustrous metal that looks like silver.
The melting point of this metal is 1453°C.
It is used for electroplating and alloying with other metals.
Mercury
Mercury is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
It is the lustrous and heaviest metal.
It freezes at 39°C.
It does not wet the vessel in which it is kept and Its melting point is 357°C.
It is useful in thermometers, barometers, pressure gauges, and mercury vapor lamps.
It is also useful in the extraction of gold and silver.
It produces ultraviolet rays that's why it is filled in the lamps.
Tin
It is a shiny metal like white silver in appearance.
This metal is soft and malleable and Its melting point is 232°C.
It becomes brittle at 200°C and can be powdered. If it is bent, it produces a sound called a tin cry.
It is used for making sheets, kitchen utensils, mirrors, etc.
Its salts are used for coloring.
Chromium
It is a lustrous blue-colored metal that does not rust.
It is used to make alloy steel.
Cobalt
It is a white-colored metal whose melting point is 1480°C.
It is used in cutting tool alloys and tool steel.
Antimony
It is a brittle metal with a bluish tint whose melting point is 635°C.
Its powder can be made and It is a cheap metal of low value.
It is used for casting and to increase the hardness and melting point of alloy metals made of lead and tin.
Tungsten
Tungsten is a lustrous metal similar to silver.
Its tensile strength and melting point are very high.
It is used in making electric filaments.
Manganese
Its melting point is 1245°C.
It is used in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
Platinum
It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal.
Its melting point is 1773°C and It is a very precious metal.
It is used to make science items, ornaments, thermometers, etc.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a fairly strong, silvery-white, lightweight metal that is one-third lighter than aluminum that slightly tarnishes when exposed to air.
In a powder, this metal heats and ignites when exposed to moisture and burns with a white flame.
Its melting point temperature is 648°c.
Magnesium is used in fireworks. It is alloyed with other metals to make them lighter and more easily welded.
So here you have to know all aspects related to non-ferrous metals.
If you have any doubts then you are free to ask me by mail or on the contact us page.
Thank You.
