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nonferrous

nonferrous

5.8
Made of metal that does not contain iron and does not rust like steel
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈfɛrəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no ferrosos
  • Nonferrous metals like nonferrous aluminum are resistant to rust, making them ideal for outdoor construction.
  • nonferrous metals
  • nonferrous smelting
  • nonferrous metals sector

Examples

  • The problem is even more extreme in the chemicals, stone, clay and glass, and nonferrous metals sectors, where the range of products is quite substantial.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Where bacteria exist, nonferrous materials should be used for the wells and the raw water lines where possible.

    Academic text (2001)
  • At the same time, electricity intensity decreased in the chemicals and nonferrous metals sectors due to electricity conservation and changes in the product mix.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Timber, oil, natural gas, coal, diamonds, and nonferrous metals (especially gold) have been the primary targets of development in the North.

    Academic text (1991)
  • A significant increase of nonferrous metals in SDW is observed due to the appearance of aluminum beer and water cans.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The problem in Canada originated in the early 20th century with the establishment of the huge, nonferrous smelting complex near Sudbury, Ontario.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The compound provides cathodic corrosion protection for ferrous and nonferrous metal surfaces.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Comparable conditions exist in the nonferrous metals sector, where Norwegian and Swedish energy intensities are 25% and 102% above the OECD-8 average.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In Canada, a federal-provincial accord targeted sulfur dioxide emissions, mainly from the country's large nonferrous smelting industry and from a small number of coal-burning electrical generating plants.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The artist used nonferrous materials in her sculptures to prevent corrosion.

Synonyms

ironless
vsnonferrous
5.6

Not having iron in food or objects

is used only for metals that lack significant iron rather than all items

Antonyms

ferrous
  • Specialized
2 7.2

A material that contains iron, often a metal like steel

Surface Forms

nonferrous positive

Morphology

nonferrous = ferrous (transparent) = non + ferrous

The adjective is a straightforward negation: 'non-' + 'ferrous' = 'not containing iron'; the morphological relation is direct even if 'ferrous' is somewhat technical.

Etymology

Nonferrous comes from non- 'not' and ferrous 'iron', so it describes metals like copper and aluminum that do not contain iron and therefore do not rust like steel.