The document discusses ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Ferrous metals contain iron while non-ferrous metals do not. It provides examples of common ferrous metals like steel alloys and non-ferrous metals like aluminum and copper. It then describes characteristics and common uses of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, noting ferrous metals are strong but prone to rust while non-ferrous metals are lighter, more corrosion-resistant and non-magnetic. Mild steel specifically is discussed as being ductile, malleable and commonly used in building structures.
2. FERROUS METALS
Ferrous metals mostly contain iron. they have small amounts of other metals or
elements added, to give the required properties. ferrous metals are magnetic and give
little resistance to corrosion. some examples of the ferrous metals we deal with:
• Vehicle scrap metal
• Demolition site scrap metal
• Metal offcuts from manufacturing industries
3. NON-FERROUS METALS
Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron, are not
magnetic and are usually more resistant to corrosion than
ferrous metals. Some examples of non-ferrous metals we deal
with are:
• Aluminum & aluminum alloys
• Copper, brass
• Lead, zinc
• Stainless steel
• Electrical cable
4. USES OF FERROUS METALS
The following are ferrous metals and the kind of uses to which they are usually
put:
• MILD STEEL – carbon content of 0.1 to 0.3% and iron content of 99.7 – 99.9%. used for
engineering purposes and in general, none specialised metal products.
• CARBON STEEL – carbon content of 0.6 to 1.4% and iron content of 98.6 to 99.4 %. used
to make cutting tools such as drill bits.
• STAINLESS STEEL – made up of iron, nickel and chromium. resists staining and corrosion
and is therefore used for the likes of cutlery and surgical instrumentation. see
our infographic celebrating 100 years of stainless steel usage in buildings or
the different types of stainless steel.
• CAST IRON – carbon 2 – 6% and iron at 94 to 98%. very strong but brittle. used to
manufacture items such as engine blocks and manhole covers.
• WROUGHT IRON – composed of almost 100% iron. used to make items such as
5. USES OF NON-FERROUS METALS
These are the non ferrous metals and their uses:
• ALUMINUM – an alloy of aluminum, copper and manganese. very lightweight and easily
worked. used in aircraft manufacture, window frames and some kitchen ware.
• COPPER – copper is a natural occurring substance. the fact that it conducts heat and
electricity means that it is used for wiring, tubing and pipe work.
• BRASS – a combination of copper and zinc, usually in the proportions of 65% to 35%
respectively. is used for ornamental purposes and within electrical fittings.
• SILVER – mainly a natural substance, but mixing with copper creates sterling silver. used
for decorative impact in jewellery and ornaments, and also to solder different metals
together.
• LEAD – lead is a naturally occurring substance. it is heavy and very soft and is often used
in roofing, in batteries and to make pipes.
6. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FERROUS METALS
• Ferrous metals include mild steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and
wrought iron. These metals are primarily used for their tensile strength and
durability, especially mild steel which helps hold up the tallest skyscrapers and the
longest bridges in the world. You can also find ferrous metals in housing
construction, industrial containers, large-scale piping, automobiles, rails for
railroad and transportation, most of tools and hardware you use around the house,
and the knives you cook with at home.
• Due to the high amounts of carbon used when creating them, most ferrous metals
and alloys are vulnerable to rust when exposed to the elements. While this isn’t true
of wrought iron, which is so iron pure that it resists oxidization, or stainless steel,
which is protected thanks to its high chromium content, it’s a good rule of thumb
that if you see rust, it’s a ferrous metal.
7. CONTD…
• Most ferrous metals also have magnetic properties, which makes them very useful in the
creation of large motors and electrical appliances. The reason you can tack your child’s
artwork to the refrigerator with that magnet with the local pizza place’s phone number
on it? Ferrous metal.
• Most importantly, ferrous metals make up the most recycled materials in the world. in
2008 alone, 1.3 billion tons of steel were produced, and 500 million tons of that was
made from scrap materials. But we’ll get to why that’s important a little later.
8. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-FERROUS
METALS
• Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, tin, lead, and zinc, as well
as precious metals like gold and silver. While non-ferrous metals can provide strength,
they are primarily used where their differences from ferrous metals can provide an
advantage.
• For instance, non-ferrous metals are much more malleable than ferrous metals. Non-
ferrous metals are also much lighter, making them well-suited for use where strength is
needed, but weight is a factor, such as in the aircraft or canning industries. Because they
contain no iron, non-ferrous metals have a higher resistance to rust and corrosion,
which is why you’ll find these materials in use for gutters, water pipes, roofing, and road
signs. Finally, they are also non-magnetic, which makes them perfect for use in small
electronics and as electrical wiring.
9. MILD STEEL
• Ductile & malleable
• More tough and more elastic than cast iron and wrought iron
• More prone to rusting than wrought iron
• Corrodes quickly
• Easily forged, welded & riveted
• Withstands shocks & impacts well
• Not much affected by saline water
• Equally strong in tension, compression and in shear
• Difficult to harden and temper
• Sp. gravity 7.8
10. MILD STEEL IN BUILDINGS
• Used as rolled structural sections like i-section; t-section;
channel section; angle irons. plates round and square rods
• Mild steel round bars
• Used as reinforcement in r.c.c.
• Mild steel tubes are used in structures
• Plain and corrugated mild steel sheets are used in roofing