Non-ferrous metals are a category of metallic materials that do not contain iron as their primary component. These materials can consist of pure metal elements or combinations of metal and non-metal elements, exhibiting the general properties of metals. They are widely used in various industries due to their unique characteristics such as corrosion resistance, lightweight, and high conductivity.
Non-ferrous metals can be classified based on the number of elements they contain. Pure metals consist of a single element, while alloys are made up of two or more elements. Alloys can further be categorized into binary (two elements), ternary (three elements), or multi-element alloys depending on their composition.
Non-ferrous metals are generally divided into five main groups: heavy non-ferrous metals, light non-ferrous metals, noble metals, semi-metals, and rare metals. Heavy non-ferrous metals, such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn), have a density greater than 4.5 g/cm³. Light non-ferrous metals, like aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba), have a lower density and higher chemical reactivity, often forming stable compounds with oxygen, sulfur, carbon, and halogens.
Noble non-ferrous metals, including gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd), are rare and difficult to extract. They are known for their high melting points, chemical stability, and resistance to corrosion. Semi-metals, such as silicon (Si), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), arsenic (As), and boron (B), exhibit properties between metals and non-metals, sometimes conducting heat and electricity despite being non-metallic in nature.
Rare metals, such as tungsten (W) and titanium (Ti), are found in low concentrations in nature and are challenging to extract. They play a crucial role in advanced technologies and specialized applications.
Alloys composed primarily of non-ferrous metals are called non-ferrous alloys. These can be grouped into heavy, light, precious, and rare metal alloys based on their composition. Non-ferrous alloys can also be categorized by their manufacturing methods: deformed alloys, powder metallurgy alloys, and cast alloys.
Deformed non-ferrous alloys are formed through pressure deformation processes, typically containing fewer alloying elements and capable of forming single-phase solid solutions at high temperatures. Powder metallurgy alloys are produced from elemental powders and then pressed or sintered to create components. Cast non-ferrous alloys are made by pouring molten metal into molds and allowing it to solidify, enabling the production of complex shapes.
In engineering applications, the casting properties and mechanical behavior of these alloys are carefully considered to meet specific performance requirements.
The naming conventions for non-ferrous metals and their products follow standardized rules. In China, for example, product codes use Chinese pinyin letters or international element symbols to indicate the main category. For instance, "L" stands for aluminum, and "Cu" represents copper. Additional numbers and letters denote the composition, processing status, or special features of the material.
Cast non-ferrous alloys are graded according to national standards, such as GB/T 8063-1994, which includes the letter "Z" followed by the chemical symbol of the base metal and the percentage of its purity or alloying elements. This system ensures clarity and consistency in identifying different types of non-ferrous alloys.
Common cast non-ferrous alloys include aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, and bearing alloys. These materials are essential in manufacturing components for engines, bearings, and other critical mechanical systems. Their versatility and performance make them indispensable in modern industrial applications.
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