What is ferrous metal?

The ferrous metal are those which have iron as their main constituents. The ferrous metals mainly used in engineering works are cast iron, steel and alloy steels. 
Ferrous metals


Classification of ferrous metal-

The classification of ferrous metals are discussed below.

  • Cast iron:-  The carbon contents in cast iron varies from 1.7 percent to 4.5 percent. It also contains small amount of silicon, maganese, phosphorus and sulphur. The various types of cast in use are as follows

  1. Grey Cast iron:- It contains 3 to 3.5 percent carbon. The grey color is due to the fact that carbon is present in the form of free graphite. It is widely used for machine tool bodies, flywheel, pipes and pipe fittings etc.
  2. White cast iron:-  It contains 1.74 to 2.3 percent carbon. The white color is due to the fact that it has no graphite and whole of the carbon is in the form of carbide (known as cementite)
  3. Mottled cast iron:- It is produced between grey and white cast iron in comparison, colour and general properties.
  4. Malleable cast iron:- It is a cast iron-carbon alloy which solidifies in the as-cast condition in a graphite free structure.
  • Wrought iron:-  It is the purest iron which contains at least 99.5% . It is tough, malleable and ductile material. It can not stand sudden and excessive shocks. It can be easily forged or welded. It is used for chains, crane hooks, railway couplings and water and steam pipes.
  • Steel:- It is an alloy of iron carbon with carbon content up to a maximum of 1.5%. The carbon occures in the form of iron carbide, because of its ability to increase the hardness and strength of steel. Other elements e.g. silicone, sulphur, phosphorus and mangne se are also prevent to greater or lesser amount to impart certain desired properties to it. Most of the steel produced now-a-day is plain carbon steel or simply carbon steel. A carbon steel is defined as a steel which has its properties mainly due to its carbon content and does not contain more than 0.5% of silicon and 1.5% of magnesium. The plain carbon steel varying from  0.06% carbon to 1.5% carbon are divided into the following type depending upon the carbon content.
(a) Dead mild steel ― up to 0.15% carbon
(b) Low carbon or mild steel― 0.15% to 0.45% carbon
(c) Medium carbon steel― 0.45% to 0.8% carbon.
(d) High Carbon steel― 0.8% to 1.5% carbon
  • Alloy Steels:- An alloy steel may be defined as a steel to which elements other than carbon are added in sufficient amount to produce an improvement in properties. The alloying is done for specific purpose to increase wearing resistance, corrosion resistance and to improve electrical and magnetic property, which can't obtain in plain carbon steel. The chief alloying elements used in steel are nickel, chromium, Molybdenum, cobalt, vanadium, manganese,silicon and tungsten. Each of these elements confer certain qualities upon the steel to which it is added. These elements may be used separately or in combination to produce the desired characteristics in steel.