If you’re interested in knowing more about scrap metals, then you should know the differences between ferrous & non-ferrous metals. According to history, copper was discovered almost 7,000 years ago, which started the Copper Age. And then the Bronze Age started. Iron ore was first produced way back in 1,200 BC and thus we as human beings entered the Iron Age. All of the aforementioned metals are heavily utilised in the metal industry, even today.
Therefore, in this in-depth blog post, we’ll be discussing the primary differences between ferrous & non-ferrous metals, so that you can have a deeper idea of the distinctive properties of each type.
Differences Between Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metals
Ferrous Metals
According to a professional service provider offering cash for scrap cars, ferrous metals are very well-known for their strength and thereby contain iron. As a result, these metals can be utilised for any type of need, especially those that require durability & strength in the long run. Such is the reason why the construction and the architectural industry depend on ferrous metals. Ferrous metals offer a brilliant choice for creating projects that require structural stability.
Moreover, it should also be known that ferrous metals tend to contain a high amount of carbon. Thus, ferrous metals can rust or corrode over time. The only two types of metals that can resist rust are wrought iron and stainless steel. This is because stainless steel has enough chromium content while wrought iron has enough iron content to fend off the rusting process.
Some examples of ferrous metals include:
- Iron
- Steel
- Carbon steel
- Alloy steel
- Wrought iron
- Cast iron
- Scrap iron
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals are those types of metals that don’t have any iron content in them. However, they also offer their own set of advantages. For instance, these metals are highly resistant to corrosion or rusting, when compared to ferrous metals. Moreover, you should also know that non-ferrous metals are highly malleable, which means they can be used to manufacture electrical wires. Additionally, they’re lightweight and are therefore used in various residential & industrial environments.
Some of the common non-ferrous metals include:
- Copper
- Aluminium
- Lead
- Tin
- Zinc
Ferrous Vs Non-Ferrous Metals – Which One Is The Better Choice?
When it comes to picking between these two options, there is no such definite winner. Each type of metal represents its specific use case scenario. For example, you cannot expect to use ferrous metals to make good quality electrical wires because they’re not malleable and will break easily. On the other hand, you can expect to use aluminium as a construction material because it can bend very easily.
Thus, at the end of the heyday, it all comes down to the requirements and the industry it’s required.
