Remembering the difference between non-ferrous and ferrous metals is actually quite easy. You see, the term “ferrous” actually means “of or containing iron”, which means that any metal that contains relevant traces of iron is a ferrous metal. Non-ferrous means no iron content. There are various types of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and metal alloys.

Alloys are simply two or more kinds of metal combined to make a new metal. Brass is an example of a non-ferrous alloy. Ferrous metals include variations of steel and iron, and non-ferrous metals include aluminum, tin, copper, zinc, titanium, nickel, lead, and various alloys. Even precious and exotic metals are non-ferrous; like gold, platinum, silver, zirconium, mercury, cobalt, tungsten, selenium, beryllium, cadmium, and bismuth. Here is a list of ferrous metals and their primary applications or advantages among national and global industries:

Ferrous Metals and Alloys

Cast Iron – An alloy made from 2 to 6 percent carbon and 94 to 98 percent iron. It’s resistant to corrosion, malleable, strong, and retains a low melting point. It is primarily used to manufacture automotive parts like cylinder heads and engine blocks, as well as, machinery, pipes, construction, and other engineering purposes.

Wrought Iron – Almost entirely made of iron, it was used for its ductile and malleable qualities, but it is also resistant to corrosion and quite tough. It was mainly used in the past to make axes, chisels, warships, railways, nails, garden fences, cutlery, chains, rivets, couplings, ornamental ironwork, horseshoes, and more. These products and more are now made from mild steel because wrought iron is no longer manufactured on a commercial scale. You may hear wrought iron be referred to as mild steel, as it contains very little carbon.

Mild Steel – This metal contains very low traces of carbon, as little as 0.1 to 0.3 percent. Any ferrous metal that contains little to no carbon is basically a form of steel. It is used in the engineering industry and several metal commodities mentioned with wrought iron.

Stainless Steel – A very popular finish for appliances and home décor, stainless steel is an alloy made from nickel, chromium, and iron. It is stain and corrosion-resistant, making it a popular metal for surgical instruments, appliances, cutlery, and more.

Carbon Steel – This steel alloy contains anywhere from 0.5% to 3% carbon and is used to primarily manufacture cutting tools such as saws, rotaries, and drill bits.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 for information about Indianapolis metal recycling and more. We accept all types of metal in various forms, including cars, trucks, power tools, scrap metal, construction equipment, appliances, and more. We pay cash for scrap metal! Call 317-244-0700 to earn cash by recycling metal in Indianapolis, IN today.