Non-ferrous metal

As a non-ferrous metal, all metals are referred to in addition to iron, as well as metal alloys in which iron is not contained as the principal element and the amount of pure iron (Fe) not exceed 50%. Examples are copper, aluminum, zinc, bronze, brass. Mostly for the abbreviation " nonferrous metal " will be used. Because of their often eye-catching color, they are also known as non-ferrous metals, but include the white metals as well to the non-ferrous metals.

Further classifications

Technically used non-ferrous metals are divided as follows:

• Pure metals Precious Metals
• Common metals
• Heavy metals ( usually ρ ≥ 4.5 to 5 g/cm3) non-ferrous metals

• Wrought alloys
• Casting alloys
• Non-ferrous metal alloys
• White metals Bearing metals / lead - bearing metals

Non-ferrous alloys are referred to all metal alloys, which contain less than 50% iron (Fe).

Pure metals are identified by their chemical symbol and its purity percentage. In precious metals, which are processed into jewelry or coins, it is also a historically-based labeling in karats or fineness.

For non-ferrous alloys labeling in Germany was regulated in the retracted in May 2000, DIN standard DIN 1700. Specified then the chemical symbols of the base metal and the principal alloying element, the alloy content be followed in mass percent ( from a level of about 1%).

The alloy AlMn1 is accordingly an aluminum alloy with 1% manganese; CuNi25Zn15 the alloy is a copper alloy having 25 % nickel and 15 % zinc.

The non-ferrous metals including the precious metals gold and silver.

Applications

Non-ferrous metals are used in many areas of technology and everyday use:

• As castings (sand casting, permanent mold or die casting ) ( zinc, aluminum, magnesium, lead)
• As a construction material for aircraft and lightweight (aluminum, magnesium, titanium)
• As electrical conductors (cables, busbars, contacts)
• Generally regarded as bearing materials for vehicle engines ( crankshaft bearing, connecting rod bearing ), electric motors, marine propulsion, as transmission bearings
• As a coating material for corrosion protection ( galvanizing, tin plating )
• For power storage ( batteries, auto batteries )
• As a material for roofing (lead, zinc and copper roofs)
• As finished parts when building a house ( gutters, downspouts )
• ( and many cups of tin, copper brewing vessel ) for containers of all sizes related to food, beverages and tobacco
• As jewelery and Münzwerkstoff
• As sintered parts