1.2 Metals

What are the different types of ferrous metals?

• Ferrous metals are that contain iron

• Mild steel (low carbon steel)

• Medium carbon stee

• Cast iron

Mild steel/ low carbon steel (properties/characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• Ductile, high tensile strength, tough, malleable, poor resistance to corrosion.

• 0.15-0.30% carbon content

• Melting temperature 1427°

Uses:

• Nuts, bolts, washers, screws, car bodies, outer panels for white goods

Medium carbon steels (properties/characteristics, uses)

Properties/ characteristics:

• Harder than low carbon steel but less ductile, malleable and tough.

• 0.30-0.70 per cent carbon content Melting

Uses:

• Springs, gardening tools, (trowels, forks)

Cast iron (properties/characteristics, uses)

Properties/characteristics:

• Hard outer skin but brittle core, good under compression.

• 3.5% carbon

• Melting temperature 1149°

Uses:

• Disc brakes, machine parts, engine blocks

What are the different types of non-ferrous metals?

• Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain iron.

• Aluminium

• Zinc

• Tin

• Copper

Aluminium (properties/characteristics, uses)

Properties/ Charcateristics:

• Lightweight, ductile, malleable, corrosion resistant, electrical and thermal conductor, can be metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) heat welded.

• Melting temperature 660°

Uses:

• Drink cans, aircraft bodies, bike frames, window frames, saucepans, cooking utensils, packaging, baking foil

Zinc (Properties/characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• Low melting point, good corrosion resistance.

• Melting temperature 420°C

Uses:

• Galvanising steel as a protective coating for dustbins, buckets, farm gate. Intricate die castings

Tin (Properties/Characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• Ductile, malleable, low melting point, corrosion resistant.

• Melting temperature 232°C

Uses:

• Soft solder, coating for food cans, rarely used in life form

Copper (Properties/Characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• Ductile, malleable, tough, corrosion resistant, good electrical and thermal conductor, can be soldered and brazed.

• Melting temperature 1083°C

Uses:

• Electrical wire, printed electrical circuits, water pipes, hot water tanks, central heating pipes

What are the different types of Alloys (ferrous and non-ferrous metals)?

• Metals made of two or more metal, or combining two or more elements, one of which must be metal

• stainless steel

• Duralumin

• Brass

Stainless steel (properties/Characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• Tough, hard, corrosion resistant

• 18% chrome, 8% nickel

• Melting temperature 1510°C

Uses:

• Sinks, kitchenware, cutlery

Duralumin (Properties/Characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• 4% copper, 1% magnesium and manganese.

• Equivalent strength properties to mild steel but more lightweight, ductile, becomes harder as it is worked.

Uses:

• Aircraft’s parts, vehicle parts

Brass (Properties/Characteristics, uses)

Properties/Characteristics:

• Corrosion resistant, good electrical and thermal conductor, low melting point 930°C, casts aswell.

65% Copper, 35% Zinc

Uses:

• Boat fittings, door furniture, cast valves and taps, ornaments