Ferrous metal contains iron as a major content. Ferrous metals are highly durable, recyclable, prone to rust, usually magnetic, and have good tensile strength and electrical conductivity. These metals have a diverse range of elements in addition to iron, such as the following
- Nickel
- Molybdenum
- Chromium
- Manganese
- Vanadium
All these different alloying components provide ferrous metals distinct properties and make them ideal for engineering and other applications like pipelines, tools, cutlery, and large fabrication such as skyscrapers and containers.
Uses And Examples
Ferrous metals contain huge concentrations of iron, and because of their chemical composition, these metals have wide spectrum uses and applications in different industries. Following are the examples
1. Non-Alloy Steel
It is a steel in which no other element is added during smelting. Example wrought iron.
2. Carbon Steel
Carbon steel includes carbon as the main alloying element. Following are the types of carbon steel, and each has distinct treatment methods and characteristics
- Low Carbon Steel
Mild or low carbon steel has a carbon content ranging between 0.05% and 0.25%. These steels are used to produce bolts, nuts, forgings, etc.
- Medium Carbon Steel
Carbon content in medium carbon steels comprises a range of 0.25 to 0.6%. Because of a slightly bit high carbon content, these steels have greater strength and hardness than low-carbon steel. They are used widely in the automotive industry for manufacturing axles, shafts, and years and are also used in railway sectors
- High Carbon Steel
Among carbon steels, high carbon steel comprises the maximum carbon content ranging between 0.6 to 1%, so they are ideal for manufacturing rail steels, springs, wire rope, plates, and resistant tools and blades. They have low ductility, which impacts their toughness. However, they can retain their shape even at high temperatures and do not undergo much mechanical wear
3. Alloy steel
It is a type of steel in which other elements are added during the smelting. They include nickel, silicon, copper, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, etcetera.
Also Read : Where to get the Best-quality Stainless Steel in Hyderabad?
Now that you know which metal contains iron as a major content, let’s understand how stainless steel is made and what its uses are.
What are stainless steels?
Stainless steel has immense commercial and industrial applications because it has great corrosion resistance, an attractive appearance, and high strength. Stainless steel alloy comprises the following elements or additives
- Iron
- Chromium
- Nickel
- Carbon
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Copper
- Nitrogen
- Silicon
- Sulfur etc.
The stainless steel grade is manufactured by melting additives and scrap metals in an electric arc furnace. Carbon helps increase the strength and hardness of iron, but too much carbon can create issues like carbide precipitation at the time of wielding. Therefore carbon content is removed during the manufacturing of stainless steel. A final homogenization and balancing of chemistry and temperature occur after lowering the carbon content to ensure that the metal has the right composition and can meet all the standard requirements. In the last stage, the molten steel is cast or formed in different shapes like slabs, tubes, rods, blooms, and billets. Understanding the types and grades of stainless steel designed for specific environments and users is important to ensure optimization cost and long-lasting outcomes. If you want to know which stainless steel will be the right for your project, then you can consult Shalco Industries, a leading source of different grades of stainless steel.
Conclusion
Ferrous metals are widely used because they have high strength and great durability. This is the reason why carbon steel are heavily used in construction industries for building structures like skyscrapers and bridges. Ferrous metals help to manufacture shipping containers, Automobiles, pipework, railways, and different domestic and commercial tools. As ferrous metals have a high carbon and iron content, they are easily vulnerable to rusting, especially when exposed to moisture. This is the reason why they are not suitable for manufacturing water pipes. The only exception is wrought iron, which resists rust and oxidation, and alloying elements, like chromium in stainless steel grades, can also be used to prevent rust. Ferrous metals being magnetic, have wide applications in motor and electrical fields.