Metals

Ferrous metals contain iron.

Almost all are magnetic.

They rust easily. Protective measures for this are: enamel, paint, galvanising.

Examples are: 

Stainless steel, Mild steel, 

Medium carbon steel, High carbon steel, 

High speed steel,

Cast-iron.

Ferrous: Group of metals that contain iron and varying amounts of carbon. They are normally magnetic.

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An alloy is a metal combined with other substances to make a better metal.

Qualitites of such a metal would include: strength, hardness, durability, ductility, tensile strength and toughness. 

There is a parent metal which is the MAJORITY of the alloy

And the alloying agents which are only a small percentage of the metal. 

Example: Mild steel is 0.1 - 0.3% CARBON and 99.9 - 99.7% IRON.

Most alloys don't have a single melting point unlike pure metals.

They have a melting range.

Example: Steel is made of iron and carbon. IRON is a very hard, brittle metal but adding the alloying agent CARBON, results in an alloy (STEEL) with properties of toughness and tensile strength. 

Non-Ferrous metals contain NO iron.

They do not rust easily and don't normally need protective coatings.

Very useful for jobs where the metals may come into contact with water (food containers,electrical equipment).

They can be quite expensive.

Examples include: 

Aluminium, Brass. <--- ALLOYS 

Zinc, Gold, Copper. <--- NOT ALLOYS

Quite versatile characteristics.

Non-ferrous: group of metals that do not contain iron.