What is Ferrous Metal?

Ferrous simply means iron, which means that ferritic metals contain nominal traces of iron. Common examples of ferrous metal include steel, stainless steel (unless it is a high-caliber stainless steel heavily galvanized with nickel), carbon steel, and tin. Nonferrous metals, like aluminum, brass, and copper, do not contain iron.

So, how do you know if something made of metal contains ferritic properties? Try these two fast and easy tests to make your confirmation.

► Magnet Test

Ferrous metals are attracted to magnets. Your refrigerator is donned with a cluster of magnets because it contains iron metal. So, the next time you need to test metal to tell if it is ferrous or nonferrous, simply grab one of your refrigerator magnets and see if it sticks. If the magnet drops off instantly, the object does not contain iron and therefore, is not ferrous, or nonferrous.

► Rust Observation Test

Another test that might be even quicker than the first is the rust observation test. You see, ferrous metal does not rust, which is caused by a process known as oxidation. When the properties of nonferrous metal are exposed to oxygen, rust will begin to form. If you examine your object for rust and find none, you are likely dealing with a ferrous metal. But to be sure, try the magnet test too.

Using X-Ray Metal Analyzers

For some metal objects and commodities, deciphering the metal composition in detail is not so cut and dry. Metal analyzing equipment and technologies, such as XRF analyzers, are used to precisely confirm the metal constituents within an object.

Are you ready to sell your ferrous and nonferrous metals for cash on the spot? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all metals.

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In our last blog, we discussed which attributes make stainless steel magnetic, and how to determine if your stainless steel is ferrous or not. In this blog, we will show you the 3 common types of magnetic stainless steel, and give you a brief description of how they compare to austenitic structures, which are not magnetic at all.

Magnetic Stainless Steels

In order for stainless steel to have magnetic properties, two very important elements must exist. First, it must contain iron, which is a ferrous metal (or metal with high amounts of ferrite). Second, it must have a crystal composition arranged in a ferritic or martensitic structure. In fact, the 3 primary types of magnetic stainless steel are ferritic, martensitic, and duplex, each of which have their own set of grades.

❶ Ferritic Stainless Steels

⚙ Ferritic stainless steel has large quantities of ferrite in its chemical composition. It contains grades like 409, 430 and 439.

❷ Martensitic Stainless Steel

⚙ The martensitic steel group is ferromagnetic, as it contains an abundant amount of iron in grades like 410, 420, and 440.

❸ Duplex Stainless Steel

⚙ Duplex stainless steel contains a mixture of austenite and ferrite, mostly austenite, making it slightly less magnetic. This group contains grades like 2205.

Austenitic Structures

Stainless steels that have austenitic structures are those with higher quantities of austenite in them. This also makes them mostly non-magnetic. For instance, stainless steel grades like 304 and 316 retain high amounts of iron in their chemical composition, but their austenite structures renders them non-magnetic, or non-ferromagnetic.

Does it Make a Difference?

You might be wondering why ferromagnetic properties matter in terms of stainless steel. Well, in various industries and applications, the level of magnetism is highly influential. For instance, magnetic steels can cause a lot of problems in processes like metal fabrication, welding, building construction, and more. Electrical currents are also effected by magnetic steel. Other times, magnetic properties are required, such as in metal sorting, electronics, and more.

How to Get Paid for Your Scrap Metal

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap metal for cash in Central and Southern Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and more. Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.

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Tag Archives: ferromagnetic metals

Top 2 Ways to Confirm Ferrous Metal

What is Ferrous Metal?

► Magnet Test

► Rust Observation Test

Using X-Ray Metal Analyzers

3 Types of Magnetic Stainless Steel