Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain significant amounts of iron and are known for
their resistance to rust and corrosion, as well as their desirable physical properties such as
lightweight, high conductivity, and malleability. Common non-ferrous metals include aluminum,
copper, zinc, lead, tin, and precious metals like silver and gold. These metals are widely used
in various industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and
manufacturing.
1. Common Non-Ferrous Metals:
Aluminum (Al)
Copper (Cu)
Zinc (Zn)
Lead (Pb)
Tin (Sn)
Nickel (Ni)
Titanium (Ti)
Magnesium (Mg)
Precious Metals: Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt)
2. Standards for Non-Ferrous Metals:
Various international standards organizations specify the quality, dimensions, and performance
requirements of non-ferrous metals. The most commonly referenced standards include:
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials): Specifies material properties, chemical
compositions, and mechanical testing methods.
EN (European Norms): Standards related to non-ferrous metals in Europe.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization): Provides global standards for non-ferrous
metals and alloys.
DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung): German standards for non-ferrous metals.
BS (British Standards): UK standards for metal properties and manufacturing.
3. Material Grades & Specifications for Common Non-Ferrous Metals:
a. Aluminum (Al):
Aluminum is lightweight, highly corrosion-resistant, and widely used in transportation,
packaging, and construction.
ASTM B209: Standard for aluminum and aluminum alloy sheets and plates.
Grades:
1100: Commercially pure aluminum, excellent for corrosion resistance.
2024: High-strength aluminum used in aerospace.
6061: Structural alloy with medium strength, good for general-purpose applications.
7075: High-strength aluminum alloy used in aviation and aerospace.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 110-570 MPa (depending on the grade).
Melting Point: 660°C.
Applications: Aircraft components, automotive parts, packaging, construction materials.
b. Copper (Cu):
Copper is known for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and resistance to
corrosion.
ASTM B152/B152M: Specification for copper sheet, strip, plate, and rolled bar.
Grades:
C11000 (Electrolytic Tough Pitch - ETP): Widely used for electrical purposes.
C12200 (DHP Copper): Used for plumbing tubes and heat exchangers.
C17200 (Beryllium Copper): High-strength alloy with excellent conductivity and hardness.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 200-400 MPa (for pure copper).
Melting Point: 1085°C.
Applications: Electrical wiring, heat exchangers, plumbing, roofing, industrial machinery.
c. Zinc (Zn):
Zinc is primarily used for galvanizing steel to prevent rusting, as well as in die-casting for
various components.
ASTM B69: Specification for rolled zinc.
Grades:
Z1 - Z5: Pure zinc grades classified by purity (99.95% to 99.99%).
ZAM (Zinc-Aluminum-Magnesium): Advanced zinc alloy for coating and improved corrosion
resistance.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 150-230 MPa.
Melting Point: 419.5°C.
Applications: Galvanization, batteries, die-casting, alloys, construction materials.
d. Lead (Pb):
Lead is highly resistant to corrosion, especially from water, and is used in batteries,
radiation shielding, and roofing.
ASTM B749: Standard for lead sheet, strip, and plate.
Grades:
Chemical Lead: High-purity lead used in batteries and chemical industries.
Antimonial Lead: Alloyed with antimony for added strength, used in grid plates for batteries.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 14-18 MPa.
Melting Point: 327.5°C.
Applications: Batteries, cable sheathing, radiation shielding, roofing.
e. Tin (Sn):
Tin is highly malleable and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in plating and soldering
applications.
ASTM B339: Standard for refined tin and tin alloys in ingots.
Grades:
Grade A (99.85% Pure Tin): Used for plating and soldering.
Grade B (99.80% Pure Tin): For applications requiring lower purity.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 15-20 MPa.
Melting Point: 232°C.
Applications: Soldering, tin plating, food packaging, electronic components.
f. Nickel (Ni):
Nickel is known for its high corrosion resistance and is often alloyed with other metals like
iron and copper.
ASTM B162: Standard for pure nickel sheets, plates, and strips.
Grades:
Nickel 200/201: Commercially pure nickel, used in chemical processing and electronics.
Nickel 400 (Monel 400): Nickel-copper alloy known for corrosion resistance in marine
environments.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 379-620 MPa (depending on alloy).
Melting Point: 1455°C.
Applications: Electronics, marine equipment, aerospace, chemical processing.
g. Titanium (Ti):
Titanium is lightweight, strong, and highly resistant to corrosion, often used in aerospace,
medical, and marine industries.
ASTM B265: Specification for titanium and titanium alloy sheets and plates.
Grades:
Grade 1: Pure titanium, excellent for corrosion resistance.
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V): Titanium alloy used for high strength and lightweight applications in
aerospace and medical fields.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 240-1200 MPa (depending on grade).
Melting Point: 1668°C.
Applications: Aerospace, medical implants, marine components.
h. Magnesium (Mg):
Magnesium is the lightest structural metal, known for its excellent machinability and
strength-to-weight ratio.
ASTM B90/B90M: Standard for magnesium alloy sheet and plate.
Grades:
AZ31: Commercial-grade magnesium alloy used in automotive and aerospace.
AZ91: High-strength magnesium alloy used in die-casting applications.
Properties:
Tensile Strength: 130-290 MPa.
Melting Point: 650°C.
Applications: Aerospace, automotive components, electronics housings.
i. Precious Metals (Gold, Silver, Platinum):
Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are valued for their rarity, high conductivity,
and resistance to oxidation.
ASTM B562: Specification for silver plates and sheets.
ISO 9202: Jewelry alloys, gold, silver, and other precious metals standards.
Grades:
Gold 24K (99.9% Pure): Used in high-end electronics and jewelry.
Silver 925 (Sterling Silver): Used in electrical contacts and jewelry.
Platinum Grade 950: Used in catalytic converters, jewelry, and medical devices.
Properties:
Tensile Strength (Gold): 120 MPa.
Melting Point: 1064°C (Gold), 961.8°C (Silver), 1768°C (Platinum).
Applications: Jewelry, electrical contacts, medical devices, catalysts.
4. Properties of Non-Ferrous Metals:
Non-ferrous metals are known for specific key properties:
Corrosion Resistance: Many non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, and nickel, exhibit
strong resistance to oxidation and corrosion, making them ideal for use in harsh environments.
Lightweight: Metals like aluminum and magnesium are much lighter than steel, making them
suitable for applications in transportation and aerospace where weight reduction is critical.
High Conductivity: Copper and silver are among the best conductors of electricity, making them
essential for electrical wiring and electronics.
Malleability: Non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and tin are easily shaped into different
forms, which makes them suitable for casting, rolling, and forming processes.
5. Applications:
Aerospace: Aluminum, titanium, and magnesium alloys are used extensively due to their
lightweight and high strength.
Construction: Aluminum and copper alloys are used for roofing, cladding, and electrical systems.
Electronics: Copper, silver, and nickel are vital for electrical wiring, connectors, and
components.
Automotive: Lightweight non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum and magnesium, contribute to fuel
efficiency in automotive manufacturing.
Medical: Titanium and precious metals like platinum are used in medical implants and devices due
to their biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion.