Page 94 - eBook_Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Manufacturing V2

Proceedings of the International Conference on Digital Manufacturing –
Volume 2

Table 12: Brief differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals
(Omar, Palmiere, Howe, Atkinson & Kapranos, 2005; Metal
Supermarkets, 2025; Mubeen & Parvez, 2012; John, 1992).

Feature Ferrous Metals Non-Ferrous Metals
Composition Primarily contains iron Do not contain iron as a
component. Example: primary component.
steel, cast iron, and Examples include
wrought iron. aluminium, copper,
lead, zinc, and precious
metals like gold and
silver.
Magnetic Most are magnetic. Generally non-
Properties magnetic.
Corrosion Prone to oxidation and Highly resistant to
Resistance corrosion, except for corrosion.
alloys like stainless steel.
Density and Higher density and Lower density and
Weight heavier. lighter.
Electrical Lower conductivity. Higher conductivity.
Conductivity
Malleability & Less malleable and More malleable and
Ductility ductile, though some ductile, easy to shape.
alloys improve these
properties.
Melting point Higher melting point and Lower melting point
viscosity, requires more and viscosity, good for
energy. casting.
Price Lower. Greater.

In SSMP, both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are utilised,
each offering unique advantages. Table 12 clearly shows that
features of non-ferrous metal have preference over ferrous metal.
Non-ferrous metals, like aluminium and magnesium, are
commonly used in manufacturing engine components such as
engine blocks, heads, and pistons, due to their improved strength-
to-weight ratio (Salleh, Omar, Syarif & Mohammed, 2013; Chang
et al., 2020). Copper alloys produced through SSMP also offer
excellent heat exchange and electrical conductivity, making them
ideal for heat exchangers and electrical connectors (Mubeen &
Parvez, 2012). For example, producing aluminium 7075 using

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