Non-ferrous Metals Industry
Non-ferrous metals, also known as non-ferrous metals, are metals that do not contain iron or its alloys (iron-containing alloys). In contrast to ferrous metals, they are generally lighter in weight, have better corrosion resistance, and have greater electrical and thermal conductivity. Common non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, titanium, cobalt, and magnesium. Because non-ferrous metals have higher processing costs and flammability, they are usually alloyed with other metals to increase strength, reduce weight, and improve their other properties.
The non-ferrous metal industry is classified according to the type of metal being processed. These industries include primary and secondary production, as well as processing and fabricating. Primary production consists of refining or extracting metals from their ores. Secondary production involves taking these metals and further processing them, such as converting them from one form to another or creating alloys. Processing and fabricating involve taking these metals and creating finished products from them.
Primary production industries within the non-ferrous metals sector include aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, and tin. Each of these industries is associated with a different type of metal smelting, or the process of heating metals to lower temperature to remove impurities. Aluminum smelting involves the crushing, concentrating, and smelting of aluminum bauxite ore, while copper smelting involves converting sulfide ore into metallic copper. Lead smelting requires a lead concentrate derived from mining, while zinc and tin smelting are associated with the recovery of these metals from consumer products.
Secondary production industries involve taking the metals that were produced in primary production and further refining or allying them. Secondary aluminum refers to aluminum that has been recycled and remelted, while secondary copper production involves the remelting and alloying of copper scrap. Lead and zinc secondary production also involves the melting and alloying of scrap and alloys, while tin secondary production includes the manufacturing of tin-plated steel products.
Processing and fabricating industries within the non-ferrous metal industry specialize in taking the metals produced in primary or secondary production and converting them into finished products. Aluminum processing and fabricating involve the casting, rolling, extrusion, and other forming of aluminum parts for Aerospace, automotive, and other industries. Copper processing and fabricating produce parts for the telecommunications, industrial, and transportation industries, while lead and zinc processing involves the creation of wire and cable, storage batteries, and architectural products. Tin processing and fabricating specialize in the production of tinplate, solder, electrolytic tinplate, and other tin products.
The non-ferrous metal industry is part of the larger metal working sector and provides a vital source of materials and components for the automotive, machine, and aerospace industries. With their high strength-to-weight ratios, non-ferrous metals are advantageous for a variety of applications and industries, making them an important part of the global metal industry.