Base metal

(chemistry) Any of the metals on the lower end of the electrochemical series.
(metallurgy) The metal that is to be worked. The principal metal of an alloy. Any metal that will oxidize when heated in air. The metal of parts to be welded. Also known as parent metal. Metal to which cladding or plating is applied. Also known as basis metal.

An archaic term referring to nonprecious metals or alloys such as iron, lead, copper, nickel, chromium, and zinc. In dentistry, the term usually refers to the stainless steel and chrome-cobalt-nickel alloys.

The metal to be welded or soldered (as distinguished from filler metal which is deposited during the joining process).

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In chemistry, the term base metal is used informally to refer to a metal that oxidizes or corrodes relatively easily, and reacts variably with diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form hydrogen. Examples include iron, nickel, lead and zinc. Copper is considered a base metal as it oxidizes relatively easily, although it does not react with HCl. It is commonly used in opposition to noble metal.

In alchemy, a base metal was a common and inexpensive metal, as opposed to precious metals, mainly gold and silver.^{[citation needed]} A longtime goal of the alchemists was the transmutation of base metals into precious metals. In numismatics, coins used to derive their value primarily from the precious metal content. Most modern currencies are fiat currency, allowing the coins to be made of base metal.^{[citation needed]}

In mining and economics, base metals refers to industrial non-ferrous metals excluding precious metals. These include copper, aluminium, lead, nickel, tin and zinc.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Reactivity series
• Philosopher's stone
• London Metal Exchange

External links

• Live base metal prices - USD/lb

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copper, zinc

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