Table of Contents
What are Non-ferrous Metals?
Metals containing elements other than iron as their chief constituents are usually referred to as non-ferrous metals.
In other words
Non-ferrous metals are the metals (including alloys) which do not contain Iron (or Ferrite) in an appreciable amount.
Generally non-ferrous metals are costlier when compared to ferrous metals, but they are used for desirable properties. These desirable properties could be high conductivity, low weight, resistance to corrosion or non-magnetic property etc.
Copper fittings
Examples of non-ferrous metals
- Cobalt
- Mercury
- Tungsten
- Beryllium
- Bismuth
- Cerium
- Cadmium
- Niobium
- Indium
- Gallium
- Germanium
- Lithium
- Selenium
- Tantalum
- Tellurium
- Vanadium
- Zirconium
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Lead
- Nickel
- Tin
- Titanium
- Zinc
- Brass
- Gold
- Silver
- Platinum
Below are some most useful non-ferrous metals and their alloys, discussed briefly.
Aluminum
Aluminum is produced from alumina. In its pure state aluminum is weak and soft. Addition of small amount of copper, manganese, silicon and magnesium makes aluminum hard and strong. It is corrosion resistant, non-toxic and low-weight.
Alloys of Aluminum
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Duralumin
Duralumin is an alloy of aluminum. It contains 0.5% magnesium, 0.5% manganese and 4% copper. It is used in making automobiles and aircraft components.
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Y-Alloy
Y-alloy is an alloy of Aluminum. It contains 4% copper, 1.5% manganese, 2% nickel, 6% silicon, magnesium and iron. It is used for making aircraft engine parts such as cylinder heat, piston etc.
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Magnalium
Magnalium is an aluminum alloy. It contains 2% to 10% magnesium and 1.75% copper. It is lightweight and has good strength. It is used for making aircraft and automobile components.
Copper
Copper is one of the most widely used non-ferrous metal in the industry. It is malleable, ductile and soft. It is good conductor of both heat and electricity.
Alloys of copper
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Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Increasing zinc up to 37% increases ductility, beyond which ductility decreases. Small number of other elements such as lead or tin impart other properties to brass. Lead gives good machining quality and tin imparts strength.
It is highly corrosion resistant, easily machinable and therefore a good bearing material.
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Bronze
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin (5% to 25%). It is hard, but due to oxidation of tin it becomes brittle. Deoxidizer such as zinc may be added.
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Gun metal
Gun metal is an alloy of copper. It contains 2% zinc as oxidizing agent and 10% Copper. It was originally made for casting guns but used now for boiler fittings, bushes, glands etc.
Featured image source: By Torsten Bätge – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1929467