Definition: Non-ferrous metals in a narrow sense are also called non-ferrous metals, which are the collective name for all metals except iron, manganese and chromium.

Nonferrous metals in a broad sense also include nonferrous alloys.

Non-ferrous alloys are alloys made of a non-ferrous metal as a base (usually greater than 50%) and adding one or several other elements.

Category characteristics: Non-ferrous metals refer to all metals except iron, chromium and manganese.

In 1958, China classified iron, chromium, and manganese as ferrous metals; and 64 metals other than iron, chromium, and manganese were classified as non-ferrous metals.

These 64 non-ferrous metals include: aluminum, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, copper, lead, zinc, tin, cobalt, nickel, antimony, mercury, cadmium, bismuth, gold, silver, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium

, palladium, osmium, iridium, beryllium, lithium, rubidium, cesium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, gallium, indium, thallium, germanium, rhenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium

, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, yttrium, silicon, boron, selenium, tellurium, arsenic, thorium.

Throughout history, the materials used in production tools have been continuously improved, and they are closely related to the development of human society.

Therefore, historians have used the material of artifacts to mark historical periods, such as the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, etc.

By the end of the 17th century, there were 8 types of non-ferrous metals that were clearly recognized and used by humans.

The Chinese nation has made significant contributions to the discovery and production of these nonferrous metals (see History of Metallurgy).

After entering the 18th century, the rapid development of science and technology promoted the discovery of many new non-ferrous metal elements.

In addition to the 8 types of the above-mentioned 64 non-ferrous metals that had been recognized and used before the 17th century, 13 were first discovered in the 18th century.

In the 19th century, 39 species were discovered, and in the 20th century, 4 more species were discovered.

The strength and hardness of non-ferrous alloys are generally higher than that of pure metals, their resistance is greater than that of pure metals, their temperature coefficient of resistance is smaller, and they have good comprehensive mechanical properties.

Commonly used non-ferrous alloys include aluminum alloy, copper alloy, magnesium alloy, nickel alloy, tin alloy, tantalum alloy, titanium alloy, zinc alloy, molybdenum alloy, zirconium alloy, etc.

Usage: A: Copper among non-ferrous metals is one of the earliest metal materials used by humans.

In modern times, nonferrous metals and their alloys have become indispensable structural and functional materials in machinery manufacturing, construction, electronics industry, aerospace, nuclear energy utilization and other fields.

B: In practical applications, non-ferrous metals are usually divided into 5 categories: 1. Light metals.

The density is less than 4500 kg/cubic meter, such as aluminum, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, etc.

2. Heavy metals.

Density greater than 4500 kg/m3, such as copper, nickel, cobalt, lead, zinc, tin, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, mercury, etc.

3. Precious metals.

It is more expensive than commonly used metals, has low abundance in the earth's crust, and is difficult to purify, such as gold, silver and platinum group metals.

4. Semi-metal.

The nature and value are between metals and non-metals, such as silicon, selenium, tellurium, arsenic, boron, etc.

5. Rare metals.

Including rare light metals, such as lithium, rubidium, cesium, etc.; Rare refractory metals, such as titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, tungsten, etc.; Rare dispersed metals, such as gallium, indium, germanium, thallium, etc.; Rare earth metals, such as scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, etc.

Series metals; radioactive metals, such as radium, francium, polonium and uranium, thorium, etc. in the Al series elements.

Nonferrous metals generally refer to all metals except iron (and sometimes manganese and chromium) and iron-based alloys.

Non-ferrous metals can be divided into four categories: 1. Heavy metals: generally have a density above 4.5g/cm3, such as copper, lead, zinc, etc.; 2. Light metals: have a low density (0.53~4.5g/cm3) and active chemical properties, such as aluminum

, magnesium, etc. 3. Precious metals: low content in the earth's crust, difficult to extract, high price, high density, stable chemical properties, such as gold, silver, platinum, etc.; 4. Rare metals: such as tungsten, molybdenum, germanium, lithium, lanthanum

, uranium, etc.

[Edit this paragraph] Development status and prospects of the non-ferrous metal industry. Because rare metals are of great significance in modern industry, they are sometimes divided from non-ferrous metals into a separate category.

Along with ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals, it has become the three major categories of metals.

Nonferrous metals are the basic materials for the development of the national economy. Most industries such as aviation, aerospace, automobiles, machinery manufacturing, electric power, communications, construction, and home appliances use nonferrous metal materials as the basis for production.