Fieldings Foundry
continual development propels us
Ferrous Vs. Non-Ferrous Metals?
4 Apr 2016
Uncertain? Let us answer your questions.
 |
|
|
Q: What is the difference? A: Simply put, ferrous metals and alloys contain iron; non-ferrous materials do not. Each have distinctive properties which determine the applications they are suited for. Q: Why don’t you cast ferrous metals? A: First of all it is important to know that ferrous metals include: mild steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, wrought iron and cast iron. These metals are used for strength and durability, however they can contain large quantities of carbon, which can make them vulnerable to rust. Fieldings Foundry produce non-ferrous castings for the maritime, construction, oil and gas industries who insist on resistance to rust and corrosion, high tensile strength and lighter end products. Q: Which metals are non-ferrous? A: Non-ferrous metals are aluminium, brass, copper, and nickel, tin, and lead, zinc, gold and silver. |
Comments
John - Johnvaljohn@talktalk.net
Aug 17, 2016
I found a comment in your description somewhat puzzling, in that you say ferrous products contain large quantities of carbon, which make them vulnerable to rust. A dead mild steel would contain as little as 0.02% carbon, yet rust very quickly in water, particularly sea water. Cast iron, however, with perhaps 3.5% carbon, will survive for 100 years or more in sea water, as can be seen in pipelines and many coastal piers. How can this be?
Heather Morris - sales@fieldingsfoundry.com.au
Aug 17, 2016
Thank you John for your comment. I believe we need to be careful generalizing that cast iron will last 100 years in salt water. Please feel free to read ‘Remedial Work to Corroded Cast-Iron Piers’ which I have attached in the above blog. This document is very interesting as it outlines how cast iron corrosion in salt water is very different to the typical rusting of other ferrous metals, and it often missed in visual inspections.
© Copyright 2010 - 2019 Fieldings Foundry
Website by IOW