What is the difference between ferrous, non-ferrous and alloy metals, and what are they used for?
Metals: ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and alloys, the difference between them, their physical and working properties, common examples, and typical uses.
A focused answer to OCR GCSE Design and Technology J310 on metals: ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and alloys, the difference between them, their properties, common examples and typical uses.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR J310 includes metals among the six material categories. You need the three groups (ferrous, non-ferrous and alloys), the difference between them, their properties, common examples, and typical uses. In the written exam this is tested by explaining the ferrous/non-ferrous difference and by justifying a metal choice for a product such as a can or a frame.
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals
The key consequences of containing iron are that ferrous metals are usually magnetic and will rust (corrode) unless protected by paint, plating or oil. Non-ferrous metals are usually non-magnetic and resist corrosion. A magnet is a quick workshop test: it sticks to most ferrous metals and not to non-ferrous ones.
Alloys
Alloys are engineered for a purpose:
- Stainless steel: steel with chromium added so it resists rust, used for cutlery, sinks and medical tools.
- Brass: copper and zinc, hard-wearing and attractive, used for fittings and instruments.
- Solder: an alloy with a low melting point, used to join electronic components and pipes.
Properties and uses
Choose metals by weighing strength, hardness, toughness, weight (density), corrosion resistance, electrical and thermal conductivity, workability and cost. Mild steel wins on strength for the price; aluminium wins on light weight and corrosion resistance; copper wins on conductivity; stainless steel wins where rust resistance and hygiene matter.
Try this
Q1. State what makes a metal "ferrous". [1 mark]
- Cue. It contains iron.
Q2. Name an alloy and state one property it gains from being an alloy. [2 marks]
- Cue. For example stainless steel, which resists rust because chromium is added; or brass, which is hard-wearing.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J310/01 20192 marksExplain the difference between a ferrous and a non-ferrous metal.Show worked answer →
A 2-mark question, one mark for the definition and one for the consequence.
A ferrous metal contains iron (for example mild steel, cast iron), so it is usually magnetic and will rust (corrode) unless protected. A non-ferrous metal contains no iron (for example aluminium, copper, zinc), so it is usually not magnetic and resists rusting.
Markers reward: ferrous contains iron, non-ferrous does not, plus a property consequence (magnetic/rusts versus not). The magnetism point is a quick test: a magnet sticks to most ferrous metals. Defining only one type caps the mark at one.
OCR J310/01 20214 marksExplain why aluminium is often chosen instead of steel for products such as drinks cans and bike frames.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain wants aluminium's properties applied.
Aluminium is much lighter than steel (low density), so cans are light to transport and bike frames are easy to ride and handle. It does not rust (it forms a protective oxide layer), so it resists corrosion without painting, useful for a drinks can and an outdoor bike. It is also easy to shape and recycle.
The trade-off markers like to see: aluminium is generally weaker and dearer per kilogram than mild steel, so it is chosen where light weight and corrosion resistance matter more than lowest cost or maximum strength. Markers reward two or three applied properties (light, corrosion-resistant, easy to shape/recycle). A bare list with no application caps the mark.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology (J310) specification — OCR (2017)