In metallurgy, a non-ferrous metal is a metal,including alloys, that does not contain iron (ferrite) in appreciable amounts.Generally more expensive than ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are usedbecause of desirable properties such as low weight (e.g. aluminium), higherconductivity (e.g. copper), non-magnetic property or resistance to corrosion(e.g. zinc). Some non-ferrous materials are also used in the iron and steelindustries.
Ferrous (Fe2+), in chemistry, indicates a divalentiron compound (+2 oxidation state), as opposed to ferric, which indicates atrivalent iron compound (+3 oxidation state). This usage has mostly beendeprecated, with current IUPAC nomenclature having names containing theoxidation state in bracketed Roman numerals instead, such as iron (II) oxidefor ferrous oxide (FeO), and iron (III) oxide for ferric oxide (Fe2O3).
The Casting process has traversed a long path andimpacted human civilization for nearly five millennia. For any metal castingprocess, selection of right alloy, size, shape, thickness, tolerance, texture,and weight is very vital. . Casting process involves melting the metal to beused, pouring it into a mould, letting it cool and then knocking out thecasting.
Forging technology occupies a very important placeamong all the manufacturing processes as it produces parts with excellentproperties and with minimal wastage. Forging involves the use of machinery witha hammering or pressing action to convert basic shapes into a pre-determinedform. Forging has the capacity to refine the grain structure and improve thephysical properties of the metal.
This handbook gives a concise description of thefascinating on the state-of-the-art technology of the casting and forgingprocess of metals and metal alloys. This book contains precise details onproduction of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, its casting and forging processalong with their alloys.
Market Outlook
Global consumption of primary aluminium ingotsduring the period January to December 2015 (CY2015) increased to ~57.7 millionmetric tonnes (MMT) from ~54.3 MMT in CY2014, reflecting a growth rate of ~6.4%.However, consumption growth during H2CY2015 was lower, at ~4.2%. Primaryaluminium demand during the second half was adversely impacted by consumptionof the prevailing stock of semi-finished and finished products in the market.Consumption growth of primary aluminium metal remained at a similar level of~4.2% in the first quarter of the current calendar year as well.