What are Non-ferrous Metals?
Non-ferrous metals refer to metallic elements other than iron. As materials that enable a variety of things not possible with iron, there is limitless potential in these metals for creating products that leverage each of their unique characteristics.
Among metals, iron is both generally and widely used. Non-ferrous metals, however, exhibit characteristics not possessed by iron. These include metals that can float in water, be more easily processed than wood, provide strength as hard as diamonds, and possess unexpected flexibility for a metallic element. The diversity of these unique characteristics is truly beyond imagination. What’s more, leveraging these properties in manufacturing allows for the creation of unprecedented products. Consequently, non-ferrous metals find broad application across a variety of industries.
Moreover, harnessing the properties of non-ferrous metals in manufacturing is directly linked to environmentally-friendly production processes, such as energy and resource conservation, the prolonged lifespan of components, and weight reduction in automobiles. Their ease of recyclability also makes them an environmentally friendly material, playing a crucial role in the recycling and reuse of waste.
Application of Non-ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals are widely used in a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from everyday items to fields requiring cutting-edge technology.
Non-ferrous metals possess various exceptional properties related to their density, strength, and electric and thermal conductivity, making them essential to various industries. Here, we introduce some examples of their application.
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Ballpoint Pens
Ballpoint pens are made of ultrahard materials that are resistant to abrasion and friction and promote a smooth writing experience over the long term.
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Smartphones
Smartphones use rare metals that allow for creating high-performance devices equipped with next-generation standards.
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Air Conditioners
Aluminum is used for the heat exchangers in air conditioners due to its light weight and excellent thermal conductivity.
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Semiconductors
Copper is used in semiconductors due to its high electrical conductivity, which enables fast and efficient transmission of electrical signals.
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Car
Automobiles utilize non-ferrous metal materials with high strength and lightweight properties to ensure the stability of the vehicle.
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Ships
Titanium is used in ships thanks to its excellent resistance to wear and corrosion from seawater.
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Manufacturing Plants
Hastelloy-equivalent alloys that have been specially treated to prevent chemical corrosion are used in manufacturing plants.
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Satellites
Nickel alloys are used in satellites due to their ability to withstand high temperatures and harsh environments.
PApplications of Non-ferrous Metal Materials handled by Izawa Metal
Non-ferrous metals are widely used in various industries due to the important role they play in reducing the weight of electric vehicles (EVs), ensuring electrical conductivity, improving resistance to corrosion, and helping promote sustainability.
Below are the four main reasons non-ferrous metals are used in EVs.
Lightweight and strong: Non-ferrous metals contribute to reducing vehicle weight and improving strength.
Electrical conductivity: Non-ferrous metals are essential materials for efficient power transmission
Corrosion resistance: This is important for a product’s durability and reliability
Renewability and sustainability: Non-ferrous metals are recyclable and environmentally-friendly materials
As described here, non-ferrous metal materials are indispensable to modern society and play a major role in our daily lives and the technological advances we make.
What’s more, new non-ferrous metal materials are now being researched due to their environmental friendliness and sustainability, and further innovations are expected in the future.