Base metal

Definition and examples of base metals

• Base metals are distinguished by their tendency to oxidize or corrode easily and react variably with diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form hydrogen.
• Examples of base metals include iron, nickel, lead, and zinc.
• Copper is also considered a base metal because it oxidizes relatively easily, although it does not react with HCl.

Base metals in mining and economics

• In mining and economics, base metals refer to industrial non-ferrous metals excluding precious metals.
• Copper, lead, nickel, and zinc are commonly classified as base metals in this context.

Base metals in plated metal products

• In plated metal products, the base metal serves as the underlying layer beneath the plating metal.
• For example, copper acts as the base metal underlying silver in Sheffield plate.

Related terms and concepts

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

References

• Oxford dictionary definition of base metal
• Introduction to Numismatic Terms and Methods (source: numismatics.org)
• Base Metal and Iron Ore Mining (source: Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook, WORLD BANK GROUP 1998)
• What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Household Articles of Base Metal (source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Jan. 2010)

Base metal Data Sources