Different Types of Metals | Ferrous vs. Non-Ferrous and Common Examples
The progress of society depends somehow on metal materials. In this modern world, there are several metals which are important for human Civilization. Different types of metals are different from one another in their properties and various characteristics. Here we will discuss metals shortly but detailed types of metals will be discussed later in this article. Mainly ferrous and non ferrous metals are considered in the types of metals but there are also some common types of metals which will be discussed later.
Ferrous metals:
Those metals whose primary constituent is iron are known as ferrous metals. These are often alloyed with other metals to produce iron cast or steel. They can be magnetized. They are prone to corrosion.
Example:
- Iron
- Steel
- Cast iron
- Wrought iron
Uses of ferrous metals:
Ferrous metals have a wide range of uses, they are used in;
- Construction
- Transportation
- Consumer goods
- Medical equipment
Non-ferrous metals:
These metals don’t contain iron as their primary component. They can’t be magnetized. They are resistant to rusting. They have a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Example:
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Zinc
- Tin
- Lead
- Platinum
Uses of Non-Ferrous Metals:
Non-ferrous metals are used in:
- Batteries
- Building materials
- Packaging
- Electrical wiring
Common types of metals:
There are 24 most common types of metals which are listed below:
- Iron
- Steel
- Nickel
- Chromium
- Tin
- Magnesium
- Zirconium
- Tungsten
- Copper
- Zinc
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Bronze
- Silver
- Lead
- Gold
- Alloy steel
- Platinum
- Base metal
- Light metal
- Ferrous metal
- Cobalt
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
All these 24 types of metals are considered most common but all of them have different properties and characteristics.
Iron:
Iron is a chemical element. It is hard, malleable and ductile. The ductility of iron makes it usable in the construction of buildings, bridges, automobiles and in many other industries. Iron is the 4th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is flexible and used in the production of metalcore. It has a very high density. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Iron can be magnetized. Iron also form alloys with elements like carbon, chromium and nickel.
Steel:
One of the most widely used metals in the world. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Steel is hard, and durable and is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio. Steel is less reactive as compared to other metals due to alloying with carbon and other elements. It is corrosion-resistant. Steel is highly recyclable. It is less reactive due to alloying with carbon. It can be magnetized but its magnetic permeability varies.
Nickel:
Nickel is a silvery white, glossy metal. It is solid at room temperature. It is a moderately reactive metal. Nickel is an excellent corrosion-resistant metal. It has high thermal conductivity. Nickel is highly ductile and can be beaten into sheets. Nickel maintains its stability at elevated temperatures. It is ferromagnetic at room temperature. Nickel is heat resistant and has low thermal expansion.
Chromium:
Chromium has high hardness and strength. It is lustrous and brittle metal. It is the 21st most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is very unstable in oxygen. Chromium is used in the production of stainless steel. It has a high melting point. Chromium is ferromagnetic at low temperatures. It is corrosion-resistant due to the formation of the chromium oxide layer.
Tin:
Tin is a soft solid metal at room temperature. It is soft enough to be cut with a knife. Tin is non-toxic, malleable and ductile. It is a relatively non-reactive metal, resistant to corrosion and it forms alloys with solder and bronze. It is a poor electrical conductor. Tin is the 49th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. For centuries it has been used as a protective coating for steel.
Magnesium:
Elemental magnesium is gray white light-weight metal. It is solid at room temperature. It is highly reactive. Magnesium is prone to corrosion and has low melting and boiling points. It is highly flammable, has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is relatively ductile. Magnesium is the 11th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is used in die coating, flares and fireworks.
Zirconium:
Zirconium is a shiny silver-grey metal. It is solid at room temperature, and shows high corrosion resistance. It is a relatively non-reactive metal. Zirconium has high strength and ductility. It is a poor electrical conductor. It forms a thin oxide layer that protects it from oxidation. Zirconium is the 18th most abundant element in the earth’s crust.
Tungsten:
Tungsten is a grey-white, hard and dense metal. It is a relatively non-reactive metal. It is solid at room temperature. Tungsten shows excellent corrosion resistance. It has high tensile strength and it is very hard. Tungsten is a poor electrical conductor. It is the 54th most abundant element in the earth’s crust.
Copper:
Copper is a reddish, orange or pink metal. It is malleable and ductile. It is moderately reactive and has good corrosion resistance. Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. It is the 25th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Copper is widely used in electrical wirings, electronics and circuits.
Zinc:
Zinc is a bluish-white lustrous metal. It is moderately reactive. Zinc has a good corrosion resistance. It has moderate strength and ductility.it is moderately malleable. It is used in batteries, coins and currencies.
Aluminium:
Aluminum is a lightweight metal. It is solid at room temperature. It is relatively reactive. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Aluminium is naturally corrosion-resistant. Its thermal conductivity is 50 to 60 percent of that of copper. Aluminium is non-magnetic as it does not attract magnets.
Brass:
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It has a yellowish color. It is a relatively non-reactive alloy. It has a good corrosion resistance. It reacts with acids and forms hydrogen gas. Brass has high strength and ductility. It is highly malleable. Brass is a widely used alloy.
Bronze:
Bronze is an alloy of copper and zinc. It has a reddish-brown color. Bronze isn’t as malleable as brass. Bronze exhibits low friction against other metals. It doesn’t boil. It shows excellent corrosion resistance. It has high strength and ductility. Bronze is a widely used alloy. It is stronger and more durable than copper. It has high thermal conductivity.
Silver:
Silver is a white shiny metal. It is a very precious metal. It is relatively non-reactive. Silver had good corrosion resistance. It has high strength and ductility. It is highly malleable. Silver is a relatively rare element. It is a good conductor of electricity. It is used in jewellery and coins.
Lead:
Lead has a bluish-white colour. It has a very high density. It is relatively non-reactive. It shows good corrosion resistance. Lead has low strength and ductility. It is highly malleable. Lead is known as one of the oldest metals. It can be alloyed with other elements i.e., tin.
Gold:
Gold is a bright yellow precious metal. Gold is a noble metal. It is highly resistant to corrosion. It doesn’t react with acids. It is highly malleable. Gold is a rare element. It is used in jewellery and coins. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Gold is highly ductile.
Alloy steel:
Alloy steel is a type of steel that is alloyed with other elements like chromium and nickel. It doesn’t have a boiling point as it is solid. It varies in appearance. Alloy steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Platinum:
Pure platinum is a silver-white metal. It has high density. Pure platinum is lustrous, malleable and ductile. It is more ductile than silver, and gold but less malleable than gold. It is a noble metal. It doesn’t react with acids. It shows excellent corrosion resistance. It is the rarest element in the earth’s crust. Platinum has a high melting point.
Base metal:
These are a group of metals used in industrial applications. Its strength varies depending on the metals. It’s boiling point, melting point, ductility and hardness also vary. Most base metals react with acids. It is relatively abundant in the earth’s crust. It is used in various applications including; electrical wirings, circuits, plumbing, piping and construction material.
Light metal:
These are groups of metals characterized by their low density. But they have a high strength-to-weight ratio. Most light metals react with acids. Generally, hardness, ductility and corrosion resistance vary. These are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust. Light metals are used in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, electronic devices and sports equipment.
Ferrous metal:
These are groups of metals such as iron, steel, and stainless steel. They have high strength and ductility. Their hardness varies from moderate to high. Ferrous metals are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust.
Cobalt:
Cobalt is silver, grey and shiny. It is a transition metal. It has high strength and ductility. Cobalt is a brittle metal. It is relatively rare. It reacts with acids. It shows good corrosion resistance. It is a hard metal. It is used in magnetic alloys, pigments and catalysts.
Stainless steel:
It is a very versatile metal. It is highly resistant to corrosion. It is ductile. Stainless steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio. It is a relatively rare element. It is a hard metal. It is used in kitchen utensils, medical equipment and construction material.
Titanium:
Titanium has a silver-grey appearance. It is relatively non-reactive. Titanium shows excellent corrosion. It is moderately ductile. It has high strength and low ductility. Titanium has low density. Titanium is used in the aeroscope industry, marine hardware, automotive parts and sports equipment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, various types of metals, their role in modern society, properties and applications are given. Ferrous metals contain iron and are useful in construction, transportation and consumer goods. Non-ferrous metals don’t contain iron and are considered important in electronics, building materials and many more. Understanding the properties of every metal such as malleability, conductivity, and ductility, will help in choosing the proper material for use in industrial applications.
FAQs About the Types of Metals
In this portion, you will study the frequently asked questions about common types of metals. For any further queries, you can comment below the post.
The two main categories of metals are ferrous and non ferrous metals.
Ferrous metals are iron-containing. They can be magnetized and are prone to corrosion.
Examples: iron, steel, cast iron etc.
Ferrous metals are iron-containing. As they contain iron as their essential element therefore they are prone to corrosion.
Examples: iron, steel, cast iron etc.
The most common uses of ferrous metals are; in construction, transportation and consumer goods.
Non-ferrous metals don’t contain iron as their essential element as compared to ferrous metals. Ferrous metals can be magnetized but non ferrous metals can’t be magnetized.
Non-ferrous metals are: Copper, aluminium, zinc tin etc.
Non-ferrous metals are primarily used in batteries, building materials and in electrical wirings.
As we know ferrous metals are iron-containing as compared to non ferrous metals, that’s why ferrous metals exhibit the property of magnetization due to the presence of iron as the primary element and non ferrous metals cannot be magnetized.
Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and is one of the widely used metal in election wirings. It is pink or orange-red.
The primary properties of steel are; Strength, hardness, ductility, malleability, conductivity, toughness etc. As steel is durable, versatile, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio due to these properties it occupies great significance in the construction industry.
The primary properties of steel are; Strength, hardness, ductility, malleability, conductivity, toughness etc. As steel is durable, versatile, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio due to these properties it occupies great significance in the construction industry.