What typically characterizes ferrous metals?

Ferrous metals are primarily characterized by their iron content. The presence of iron allows these metals to exhibit specific properties such as strength, durability, and magnetic properties. Ferrous metals include various types of steel and cast iron, which are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and automotive industries due to their ability to withstand high stresses and loads.

While some characteristics associated with ferrous metals may be relevant, such as varying levels of corrosion resistance (often affected by alloying elements), their defining trait remains the presence of iron. This iron content is fundamental to the classification of ferrous metals and distinguishes them from non-ferrous metals, which do not contain significant amounts of iron and often possess different properties, such as lighter weight and better resistance to corrosion.