All metals can be classified as either ferrous or non-ferrous. Ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals do not. All ferrous metals are magnetic and have poor corrosion resistance while non-ferrous metals are typically non-magnetic and have more corrosion resistance. An overview of the most common ferrous and non-ferrous metals is shown below.
Chart:
Ferrous Metals
| Material name | Composition | Properties | Applications |
| Low Carbon Steels | Up to 0.30% Carbon | Good formability, good weld-ability, low cost | 0.1%-0.2% carbon: Chains, stampings, rivets, nails, wire, pipe, and where very soft, plastic steel is needed. 0.2%-0.3% carbon: Machine and structural parts |
| Medium Carbon Steels | 0.30% to 0.80% Carbon | A good balance of properties, fair formability | 0.3%-0.4% carbon: Lead screws, gears, worms, spindles, shafts, and machine parts. 0.4%-0.5% carbon: Crankshafts, gears, axles, mandrels, tool shanks, and heat-treated machine parts 0.6%-0.8% carbon: "Low carbon tool steel" and is used where shock strength is wanted. Drop hammer dies, set screws, screwdrivers, and arbors. 0.7%-0.8% carbon: Tough and hard steel. Anvil faces, band saws, hammers, wrenches, and cable wire. |
| High Carbon Steels | 0.80% to ~2.0% Carbon | Low toughness, formability, and weld-ability, high hardness and wear resistance, fair formability | 0.8%-0.9% carbon: Punches for metal, rock drills, shear blades, cold chisels, rivet sets, and many hand tools. 0.9%-1.0% carbon: Used for hardness and high tensile strength, springs, cutting tools 1.0%-1.2% carbon: Drills, taps, milling cutters, knives, cold cutting dies, wood working tools. 1.2%-1.3% carbon: Files, reamers, knives, tools for cutting wood and brass. 1.3%-1.4% carbon: Used where a keen cutting edge is necessary (razors, saws, etc.) and where wear resistance is important. |
| Stainless Steel | Stainless steel is a family of corrosion resistant steels. They contain at least 10.5% chromium, with or without other elements. The Chromium in the alloy forms a self-healing protective clear oxide layer. This oxide layer gives stainless steels their corrosion resistance. | Good corrosion resistance, appearance, and mechanical properties | |
| Austenitic Steels: Contains chromium and nickel. The typical chromium content is in the range of 16% to 26%; nickel content is commonly less than 35%. | Good mechanical and corrosion resisting properties, high hardness and yield strength as well as excellent ductility and are usually non-magnetic | Kitchen sinks, architectural applications such as roofing, cladding, gutters, doors and windows; Food processing equipment; Heat exchangers; Ovens; Chemical tanks | |
| Ferritic Steels: Magnetic with a high chromium and low nickel content usually alloyed with other elements such as aluminum or titanium. | Good ductility, weld-ability, and formability; reasonable thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance with a good bright surface appearance | Automotive trim, catalytic converters, radiator caps, fuel lines, cooking utensils, architectural and domestic appliance trim applications | |
| Martensitic Steels: Typically contains 11.0% to 17.0% chromium, no nickel, and 0.10% to 0.65% carbon levels. The high carbon enables the material to be hardened by heating to a high temperature, followed by rapid cooling (quenching). | Good combination of corrosion resistance and excellent mechanical properties, produced by heat treatment, to develop maximum hardness, strength, and resistance to abrasion and erosion. | Cutlery, scissors, surgical instruments, wear plates, garbage disposal shredder lugs, industrial knives, vanes for steam turbines, fasteners, shafts, and springs |
