What is Black Metal?

Black metal is a group of metals primarily composed of iron, derived from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning "iron."

These metals are valued across many industries for their impressive mechanical properties. Known for their strength and durability, as well as their ability to withstand high temperatures, black metals are the ideal choice in environments where high reliability is crucial. Additionally, due to their iron content, black metals possess magnetic properties.

Despite these advantages, black metals can rust and corrode when exposed to moisture and oxygen. To prevent this, they are often coated with protective layers or used in alloys that enhance their resistance to oxidation.

Their reliability and strength make black metals indispensable in sectors such as construction, automotive manufacturing, and machinery. These qualities play a pivotal role in the development of industries and infrastructure.

What is Colored Metal?

Colored metals are those that do not contain significant amounts of iron. This absence makes them non-magnetic, which distinguishes them in applications where magnetic properties could be detrimental.

Colored metals are crucial in fields such as electronics manufacturing, transportation, and construction. Their conductivity, lightweight, and corrosion resistance make them perfect for everything from microchips to airplanes.

At Mirada Levante, we specialize in the processing of non-iron metals like copper and aluminum, focusing on sustainable practices that enhance the lifecycle of these valuable resources. Our commitment to innovation in metal recycling positions us as a key player in the industry, contributing to environmental sustainability and advanced material solutions.

What is the Difference Between Black and Colored Metals?

The differences between black and colored metals extend beyond their composition—black metals contain iron, while colored metals do not. Each type of metal possesses unique properties that make them ideal for specific applications. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Iron Content:
Black Metals: Comprise over 50% iron, which endows them with magnetic properties.
Colored Metals: Contain less than 50% iron, making them non-magnetic.
2. Magnetic Properties:
Black Metals: Are magnetic, making them valuable in electrical engineering and machinery manufacturing.
Colored Metals: Are non-magnetic, suiting applications where magnetism is undesirable.
3. Corrosion Susceptibility:
Black Metals: More prone to rust and corrosion, especially in moist environments.
Colored Metals: Have better corrosion resistance, ideal for use in high-moisture conditions.
4. Density and Weight:
Black Metals: Heavier and denser, useful in construction and industrial applications.
Colored Metals: Lighter and less dense, perfect for applications where reduced weight is crucial.
5. Strength and Conductivity:
Black Metals: Known for their strength and durability, used in critical structural applications.
Colored Metals: Excellent conductors of electricity and heat, indispensable in electrical engineering.

When Did We Start Using Black and Colored Metals?

Colored metals have played a crucial role since the earliest stages of civilization. Copper, discovered as early as 5000 BCE, is considered one of the first metals used by humans, marking the transition from the Stone Age to the Copper Age. The subsequent invention of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, initiated the Bronze Age. Metals such as lead and zinc were also used in ancient times for various purposes, including plumbing and cosmetics.

Despite its abundance in the Earth's crust, aluminum remained rare and difficult to extract until the 19th century. In 1825, Danish scientist Hans Christian Ørsted first produced aluminum under laboratory conditions, but it was not until the end of the 19th century that effective production methods were developed, making aluminum widely available for use.

As for black metals, they began to be actively used around 1200 BCE when iron came into widespread use, heralding the Iron Age. Iron, due to its availability and properties, played a key role in the development of various aspects of human activity, from construction to machinery manufacturing. Over time, its use became a foundation for the Industrial Revolution, which drastically changed the course of history.

What Metals Are Considered Black Metals?

Black metals include alloy steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and wrought iron. These metals are highly valued for their strength and durability, making them indispensable in many industrial fields. Carbon steel, also known as structural steel, plays a key role in construction, including in the world's largest skyscrapers and bridges.

These metals are widely used in the manufacture of transport containers, industrial pipelines, automobiles, and railway tracks, as well as in numerous commercial and household tools.

However, most black metals are prone to rust due to their high carbon content unless protected. Exceptions include wrought iron, which is resistant to rust due to its purity, and stainless steel, which is protected from corrosion by the addition of chromium.

The magnetic properties of black metals also prove useful in many applications, such as in engines and electronics. Even in everyday life, this property is handy, for example, when we attach a shopping list to a refrigerator door with a magnet.

Steel

Steel is an enhanced form of iron, made by adding carbon which hardens the material. The addition of elements such as chromium and nickel makes steel even stronger. The steel-making process involves heating and melting iron ore in large furnaces. The molten metal is then poured into molds to create steel products like rods. Steel is widely used in construction and machinery manufacturing due to its strength and versatility.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is distinguished by a higher carbon content, making it exceptionally hard. This type of steel is perfect for manufacturing tools such as machines, drills, blades, taps, and springs, as it retains a sharp cutting edge well.

Alloy Steel

Alloy steels, which include elements like chromium, nickel, and titanium, offer enhanced strength and durability while maintaining a low weight. Stainless steel, an important type of alloy steel, is made with the addition of chromium, providing corrosion resistance. These steels are extensively used in construction, machine making, and electronic components.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is an alloy of iron with carbon and silicon, known for its brittleness, hardness, and wear resistance. It is frequently used in water pipes, machinery, car engines, and stoves where durability against wear is required.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is essentially pure iron with a very low carbon content. During its production, a small amount of slag is added, which provides high resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Despite its relatively low hardness and fatigue strength, wrought iron is ideal for making fences, railings, agricultural tools, nails, barbed wire, chains, and decorative items.

Colored Metals

Colored metals include aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, tin, and precious metals such as gold and silver. They are notable for their malleability and lack of iron content, making them particularly resistant to corrosion. These properties make colored metals ideal for use in manufacturing gutters, pipes, roofing materials, and outdoor signs. Furthermore, their non-magnetic nature makes them indispensable in electronics and wire production.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a light and soft metal that is easy to work with, including casting, forging, machining, and welding. It is not suitable for high-temperature environments. Due to its lightness, aluminum is extensively used in aviation and in the manufacture of cans. This metal is also utilized in the production of pistons, components for railway transport, automobiles, and cookware.

Copper

Copper is a metal with a unique red hue, known for its plasticity and exceptional conductivity of electricity and heat. These qualities make copper the material of choice in electrical engineering, where it is often used to manufacture wire and other conductors. Additionally, copper is used in construction for sheet roofing and in the production of casings, statuettes, and bearings. Copper is also used to make brass, a copper-zinc alloy valued for its anti-corrosion properties.

Lead

Lead is a soft and heavy metal with a low melting point and limited tensile strength. It is resistant to corrosion, moisture, and many acids, making it ideal for use in power cables, batteries, construction, and soldering.

Zinc

Zinc is a metal of medium hardness with a very low melting point. It is easy to process, although caution is needed when heating to avoid crystal fracturing. The primary use of zinc is in galvanizing, a process that involves applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rust.

Tin

Tin is a soft, ductile, and malleable metal with low tensile strength, making it ideal for coating steel to protect against corrosion. Traditionally, tin was used to create tinplate, used in making cans for food storage. In the late 19th century, tin foil was widely used for food packaging, but over time it has been largely replaced by more convenient and cheaper aluminum foil. Tin is also used in alloys with copper to produce brass and bronze, expanding its use across various industrial sectors.

At Mirada Levante, we deeply understand the significance and diversity of applications for both black and colored metals. Our facilities in Alaquàs and Minglanilla are equipped with modern equipment for purchasing, storing, restoring, and recycling these metals. We not only sort and recycle metals but also actively participate in improving production processes, ensuring the high quality of our products. Through our efforts in innovation and commitment to environmentally friendly recycling, we help shape the future of the metallurgical industry, ensuring sustainability and reliability of supply for various sectors, from construction to the production of high-tech products.