Ferrous / Non-Ferrous

In the metalstrading we distinguish between the non-ferrous metals and ferrous metals. Iron and all alloys based on iron are ferrous metals listed, and other metals, including aluminum, gold and copper, are called non-ferrous metals.

While many metals exhibit a magnetic behavior there are a few immediately attracted by a magnet. This phenomenon is called ferromagnetism ( "ferrous" iron). The known ferromagnetic metal is iron, but also metals like cobalt and nickel exhibit this property.

Metals have very many applications. For more information, see the articles on the individual metals. The following list is only an impression of the versatility of metal. Metals are used in:

 

• structures, machinery and transport;
• packaging such as cans for canning, beverage and paint;
• Electrical connections (copper);
• mercury thermometers and barometers;
• magnets;
• pigments (lead, cadmium);
• ballast in the keel of ships, or counterweight;
• projectiles and impact weapons;
• chemical catalysts;