Which metals are classified as ferrous metals?

The classification of ferrous metals centers on their primary content, which is iron. This category includes all metals that contain a significant amount of iron, typically greater than 0.1%, giving them distinctive properties such as high tensile strength and magnetic characteristics. Ferrous metals are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and various industrial applications due to their strength and durability.

The metals that are brittler, non-magnetic, or have low melting points do not define ferrous metals specifically. For instance, while some ferrous metals can exhibit brittleness under certain conditions, this is not a defining characteristic of all ferrous materials. Similarly, while many ferrous metals are magnetic due to their iron content, some may be less magnetic depending on alloying elements. The melting point varies across different ferrous materials, with some having relatively high melting points rather than low, further highlighting that the defining trait of ferrous metals is fundamentally their iron content.