{"id":175,"date":"2022-05-23T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T08:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/?p=175"},"modified":"2025-01-08T11:00:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T11:00:01","slug":"what-are-ferrous-non-ferrous-metals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/what-are-ferrous-non-ferrous-metals\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Difference Between Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When talking about magnets it is extremely important to be aware of the two main categories of metals that exist: ferrous and non-ferrous metals. A simple fact that splits these metals is that ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals do not.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is more complicated than that as ferrous and\nnon-ferrous metals have several different properties and because of these\nproperties, they are better suited for certain applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at the simplified differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ferrous<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ferrous Metals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is Ferrous Metal?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ferrous metals refer to any metal-containing iron, this iron\ncontent makes ferrous metals magnetic, hard, and strong. This is why ferrous\nmetals are commonly used for industrial containers, large-scale piping,\nbuilding houses, and numerous engineering and construction applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As well as containing iron ferrous metals contain a high\namount of carbon, which does make them prone to rusting when exposed to\nmoisture. However, stainless steel with its high chromium content and wrought\niron containing high levels of pure iron are exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Ferrous Metals:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stainless Steel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Made from 100% recyclable materials with a high amount of\nchromium making it more resistant to corrosion than carbon steel. Stainless steel\nis often used to make knives, medical equipment, food-grade equipment,\nappliances and pharmaceuticals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon Steel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon steel is one of the most popular\nand common ferrous metals with over 90% iron content and is commonly used\nwithin structures and furniture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engineering Steel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, iron can be made stronger, ductile, and more durable\nthrough the process of adding copper, tungsten, manganese and vanadium. Engineering\nsteel is often used for construction and machining equipment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cast Iron<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ferrous metal contains more carbon than most other\ntypes, due to the lack of any other alloying elements besides iron and carbon, cast\niron is very affordable. Cast iron is used commonly in the manufacturing of\ncookware, rods, pins and gears that are subject to wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrought Iron<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrought iron has a much lower\ncarbon content when compared to cast iron but has a high degree of elasticity\nand tensile strength and is soft, magnetic and ductile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrought iron can be heated and reheated and shaped to a variety of shapes and unlike most other ferrous metals resists corrosion and oxidation. This is why outdoor stairs, fences, gates, nuts and bolts are made from this material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-Ferrous Metals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is Non-Ferrous Metal?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Non-Ferrous metal is a term that\nrefers to metals that do not contain iron, unlike ferrous metals, these materials\nare lighter and malleable meaning they are often used in applications where strength\nmust meet weight restrictions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, as these metals contain\nno iron it makes them more resistant to corrosion and rust making them very\nsuitable for piping, roofing, outdoor signs and guttering. Also, as they are\nnon-magnetic, they are crucial for electronic and wiring applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Non-Ferrous Metals:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavy, soft and malleable metal\nwith a low melting point and a low overall strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zinc<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medium strength with a low melting\npoint and is most commonly used in galvanising to prevent rusting of steel and\niron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Copper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A highly malleable metal that is electrically\nconductive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tin is soft, malleable and has low\ntensile strength, and is most commonly used to prevent corrosion on steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminium <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A light, strong and easy to shape\nmetal used in multiple applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminium Alloys<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A chemical composition in which\nelements are added to pure aluminium to improve its properties, commonly to\nmake it stronger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact Magnet Expert Today<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At Magnet Expert, we welcome any enquiry about magnets, their applications and your custom magnet needs. If you have questions regarding our magnetic assemblies or systems, technical information and advice, or you simply want to place an order please call 0845 519 4701 or fax us on 0870 838 1233.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer to send us an e-mail directly, please feel free by emailing us at sales@magnetexpert.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our business hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 5.30 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When talking about magnets it is extremely important to e aware of the two main categories of metals that exist: ferrous and non-ferrous metals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,2],"tags":[106,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119],"class_list":["post-175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-frequently-asked-questions","category-guides","tag-aluminium","tag-carbon-steel","tag-cast-iron","tag-copper","tag-engineering-steel","tag-ferrous-metals","tag-lead","tag-non-ferrous-metals","tag-stainless-steel","tag-tin","tag-what-is-ferrous-metal","tag-what-is-non-ferrous-metal","tag-wrought-iron","tag-zinc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=175"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":983,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175\/revisions\/983"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=175"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=175"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnetexpert.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=175"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}