Difference between revisions of "Base metal"

Latest revision as of 09:13, 20 September 2010

In chemistry, the term base metal is used informally to refer to a metal that oxidizes or corrodes relatively easily, and reacts variably with diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form hydrogen. Examples include iron, nickel, lead and zinc. Copper is considered a base metal as it oxidizes relatively easily, although it does not react with HCl.

Base is used in the sense of low-born, in opposition to noble or precious metal^[1]. In alchemy, a base metal was a common and inexpensive metal, as opposed to precious metals, mainly gold and silver. A long-time goal of the alchemists was the transmutation of base metal into precious metal.

In numismatics, coins used to derive their value primarily from the precious metal content. Most modern currencies are fiat currency, allowing the coins to be made of base metal.^{[citation needed]}

In mining and economics, base metals refers to industrial non-ferrous metals excluding precious metals. These include copper, lead, nickel and zinc.^[2] The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is more inclusive in its definition. It includes, in addition to the four above, iron and steel, aluminium, tin, tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, magnesium, cobalt, bismuth, cadmium, titanium, zirconium, antimony, manganese, beryllium, chromium, germanium, vanadium, gallium, hafnium, indium, niobium, rhenium and thallium.^[3]

See also

• Reactivity series
• Philosopher's stone
• London Metal Exchange

References

fa:فلز پایه it:Metallo vile hu:Alapfém mk:Базен метал nl:Onedele metalen ja:卑金属 no:Uedle metaller sk:Základný kov sv:Oädla metaller

1. ↑ Oxford dictionary definition of "base metal"
2. ↑ http://responsiblemining.net/pubs/WB_BaseMetalAndIronJul98.pdf Base Metal and Iron Ore Mining, Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook. WORLD BANK GROUP 1998]
3. ↑ Household Articles of Base Metal, Jan. 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)