Ferrous metals are strong and durable. This makes them ideal for use in construction, piping, automobiles and transportation structures.

Ferrous metals are prone to the risk of rusting because of their high carbon content. The exceptions to this rule are wrought iron and stainless steel. Wrought iron resists corrosion because its levels of carbon are extremely low, meaning that it is almost purely iron.

Ferrous metals are often magnetic. If you want to test what kind of metal you have, using a magnet is a simple way to do so.