Ferrous, in chemical science, indicates a bivalent iron compound (+2 oxidation state), as opposed to ferric, which indicates a trivalent iron compound (+3 oxidation state).[1]
Outside of chemical science, ferrous is an adjective used to indicate the presence of iron.[1] The word is derived from the Latin word ferrum ("iron").[2] Ferrous metals include steel and pig iron (with a carbon content of a few percent) and alloys of iron with other metals (such as stainless steel).
The term non-ferrous is used to indicate metals other than iron and alloys that do not contain an appreciable amount of iron.[3]
See also
References
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Look up ferrous or nonferrous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- ^ a b Ferrous, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferrous, retrieved 19 April 2008.
- ^ Etymology (Meaning of Words), 30 November 2007, http://en.allexperts.com/q/Etymology-Meaning-Words-1474/Origin-word-1.htm, retrieved 19 April 2008.
- ^ Non ferrous, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non%20ferrous, retrieved 19 April 2008.
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