Non-ferrous metals or alloys are defined as materials that are not iron-based like their ferrous counterparts. Common non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminum and lead. Ferrous metals contain iron making most of these metals have a magnetic property. Non-ferrous metals are found in the Earth as chemical compounds.

The simplest way to see if a metal is non-ferrous is to use a magnet. If the magnet does not stick, the metal is non-ferrous – meaning, without iron. Some steel is non-ferrous despite all steel being made with iron, because alloying it with other metals can make iron non-magnetic.