Getting to Know Non Ferrous Metals
Ferrous is often related to iron, just like the popular medical name of iron supplement – ferrous sulfate. There is actually a similarity in meaning when it comes to metals. Ferrous metals are iron, and alloys that contain iron, while non-ferrous metals are those metals that are not iron per se, and those alloys that do not have iron content.
Some popular ferrous metals include steel, which is made of iron generally and carbon. Non ferrous metals on the other hand include aluminum, copper, brass, and also titanium. Brass is actually an alloy of copper.
Non ferrous metals often have common properties that are prevalent in them. They usually have lighter weight compared to their ferrous counterparts. They have high strength, are not magnetic, have higher melting points, and are resistant to corrosion. These characteristics make them very ideal for industrial applications that require all of these characteristics.
For industrial purposes, the production and utilization of both ferrous and non-ferrous metal is actually the same. They are rolled, forged, extruded, and other kinds of deformation processes. They’re shaped into the desired form, and are then tested and used, whether the final product is what it really is, or if it has achieved the requirement set by their intended market.
One popular non ferrous metal that is commonly used today is aluminum. It is very lightweight by itself, but it can become really story through alloying. It is an excellent thermal conductor and conducts more electricity than copper. It is also an excellent electrical conductor. It can resist high corrosion both in air and in water. It is very flexible, and can be produced into any shape that you desire.
Aluminum is often used for doors and window frames. It is also used for roofing and awnings. In electrical products, it is used for wires and cables. It also found its way in various appliances like television, radios, refrigerators and air conditioners. Aside from aluminum and non ferrous metals that are commonly used, nickel alloys are also those that have gained popularity and have served power plants and other industries in various ways.
