Is Stainless Steel a Ferrous or Non-Ferrous Metal?

Stainless steel is a ferrous metal because it contains iron, like other ferrous metals (steel, cast iron, wrought iron). Non-ferrous metals, such as copper, aluminum, or nickel, do not contain a significant amount of iron. 

The term “ferrous” comes from the latin name for iron– “ferrum”. Ferrous metals are durable, magnetic and less expensive, making them an excellent choice for many environments. Several industries, such as construction, automotive, and machinery manufacturing, rely on ferrous metals every day. What makes stainless steel a unique ferrous metal?

Stainless steel is formed from the combination of iron, chromium, carbon and sometimes nickel and other metals. It is a strong, heat-resilient metal able to endure heavy weight in harsh conditions.

Stainless steel is also hygienic, meaning it is easy to disinfect. This makes stainless steel a great choice for food and beverage-related applications, such as wine barrels for brewing and drums for food processing and other purposes.

Most ferrous metals have a high carbon content, making them vulnerable to rust. Stainless steel’s chromium content makes it exceptionally corrosion and rust-resistant. The chromium protects stainless steel from oxidation and rusting, giving it its “stainless” quality.

However, stainless steel is not entirely immune to rust. If exposed to chemicals, moisture, heat and other extreme conditions for prolonged periods of time, stainless steel is capable of rusting. 

Standard steel can rust. Steel is formed from iron and carbon, meaning it is ferrous but lacks the corrosion-resistant and rust-preventing qualities stainless steel gets from chromium. 

Carbon steel, one of the most popular types of ferrous metals, is susceptible to rust when exposed to water. There are several other differences in properties between carbon steel vs stainless steel.

Iron, another ferrous metal, is susceptible to rust, especially when exposed to oxygen and water.

Due to steel’s ability to rust easily, stainless steel pioneered as a desirable type of “rustless steel”. In 1913, during the onset of WWI, English metallurgist Harry Brearly attempted to fix the problem of erosion in gun barrels. He created the first successful version of stainless steel with a 12.8% chromium content.

Although stainless steel has only been around for little over a decade, developments on it occurred rapidly following Brearly’s discovery. Around 1925, stainless steel’s corrosion properties were further established as stainless steel tanks were used to store nitric acid.

Stainless steel quickly grew to become a key player in kitchen, brewing, chemical storage, food processing, medical, locomotive, and aircraft spheres, as well as many others.

There are five families of stainless steel designated by their shared behaviors, as well as a multitude of grades based on specific properties. Grading systems are usually determined by a country or organization, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). All types of stainless steels are ferrous, but they differ in common grades, uses and applications.

At The Cary Company, we recognize the importance of quality, dependable containers and packaging that leave you feeling confident in your purchase. Enjoy the corrosion-resistance and versatility of stainless steel at great prices, shipped your way by our proactive logistics team. Whether you're looking for drums and IBC totes, filter vessels and air filters, pumps and mixers, or valves and parts washers, we have the stainless steel solutions for you. Just give us a call at 630.629.6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com!

1. 

   55 Gallon Tight Head Stainless Steel Drum, UN Rated, 2" & 3/4" Fittings (16 gauge)

   Part #: 26WST6

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $920.520 ea.
   • 2 $859.140 ea.
   • 4 $797.780 ea.
   • 8 $736.410 ea.
2. 

   Stainless Steel Power Drill Mixer for 10-50 Gallon Drums

   Part #: 26WBM1

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $152.190 ea.
   • 2 $121.750 ea.
   • 4 $105.690 ea.
   • 8 $91.700 ea.
   • 24 $76.090 ea.
3. 

   2" Stainless Steel 1-Piece Ball Valve w/Reverse Stem for IBC Tote Valve Outlets

   Part #: 26WA47

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $79.270 ea.
   • 5 $63.430 ea.
   • 10 $55.500 ea.
   • 15 $51.530 ea.
4. 

   550 Gallon IBC Tank, Stainless Steel

   Part #: 26BS55

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $3,827.230 ea.
   • 2 $3,588.030 ea.
5. 

   55 Gallon Stainless Steel Wine Barrel w/2" Tri-Clover

   Part #: 26BSW4

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $783.910 ea.
   • 4 $770.860 ea.
   • 8 $751.250 ea.
6. 

   Size #2 (30" Basket Depth) 304 Stainless Steel Filter Vessel, 2" NPT, Universal Outlet, DP Ports

   Part #: 21B8S2

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $1,556.330 ea.
   • 2 $1,459.060 ea.
7. 

   32 Gallon Stainless Steel Aqueous Parts Washer, Recirculating, Flow-Thru Brush Assembly

   Part #: 37B4SS

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $3,980.580 ea.
8. 

   24" x 24" x 2" 304 Stainless Steel Washable Air Filter

   Part #: 21BC02

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $118.430 ea.
   • 6 $103.590 ea.
   • 24 $96.680 ea.
   • 48 $90.640 ea.
9. 

   12" Stainless Steel Sieve Pan, 3-1/4" Depth (Full)

   Part #: 19B599

   • Quantity Qty Price
   • 1 $145.980 ea.
   • 2 $136.860 ea.
10. 

    #2 Size Stainless Steel 9/64" Perforated Restrainer Basket for Vessel

    Part #: 21B3SR

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $345.510 ea.
11. 

    T-Handle Stainless Steel & PTFE Piston Drum Pump for 2" NPS, 22 oz. Stroke

    Part #: 26WSTP

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $132.740 ea.
    • 3 $119.210 ea.
    • 6 $107.290 ea.
12. 

    250 Gallon IBC Tank, Stainless Steel

    Part #: 26BS25

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $3,020.440 ea.
    • 2 $2,947.080 ea.
13. 

    Stainless Steel NPT Top Fill Port Valve for IBC Tote

    Part #: 26WA62

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $83.950 ea.
    • 5 $67.170 ea.
    • 10 $58.760 ea.
    • 25 $54.570 ea.
14. 

    12" Stainless Steel Sieve Pan, 3-1/4" Depth (Full) with Extended Rim

    Part #: 19B600

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $171.120 ea.
    • 2 $160.430 ea.
15. 

    85 Gallon Stainless Steel Drum, UN Rated, Cover w/Bolt Ring

    Part #: 26BSS8

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $1,013.250 ea.
    • 2 $987.490 ea.
16. 

    #1 Size Stainless Steel 1/4" Perforated Restrainer Basket for Vessel

    Part #: 21B18P

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $236.750 ea.
17. 

    BriskHeat® 0.25" x 1" Swaged Cartridge Heater, 240V, 100W

    Part #: 19BO44

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $23.370 ea.
    • 2 $21.640 ea.
    • 4 $20.770 ea.
18. 

    16 Gallon Stainless Steel Wine Barrel w/2" Tri-Clover

    Part #: 26BSW6

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $335.500 ea.
    • 4 $293.550 ea.
    • 8 $276.280 ea.
19. 

    10" 316 Stainless Steel Single Cartridge Filter Vessel, 3/4" NPT

    Part #: 21BGC2

    • Quantity Qty Price
    • 1 $572.460 ea.