Name 6 non ferrous metals
Aluminium
Copper
Brass
Bronze
Zinc
Lead
Advantages, disadvantages and uses of aluminium
Advantages
Better corrosion resistance than carbon steels
Lower density than steel (lightweight)
Recyclable
Disadvantages
Not as strong as steels (is alloyed to be stronger)
Costs more than carbon steels
Uses
Drinks can
Wings/body panels for aircraft
Advantages, disadvantages and uses of copper
Advantages
Ductile
Malleable
Excellent electrical and thermal conductor
Can be polished
Disadvantages
Oxidises to a green colour
Uses
Water pipes
Electrical wires
Advantages, disadvantages and uses of brass
Advantages
Harder than copper
Malleable
Can be machined to a high finish
Corrosion resistant
Ductile
Disadvantages
Difficult to cast
Uses
Doorknobs
Musical instruments
Pressure valve bodies
Advantages and uses of bronze
Advantages
Harder/tougher than brass
Corrosion resistant
Easily machined
Casts well
Malleable
Uses
Cast products like:
Statues
Sculptures
Ornaments
Advantages, disadvantages and uses of zinc
Advantages
Low melting point
Relatively cheap (less energy required to melt it)
Disadvantages
Brittle
Low corrosion resistance
Uses
Die casting
Car door handles
Camera bodies
Advantages, disadvantages and uses of lead
Advantages
Malleable
Ductile
Very good corrosion resistance
Disadvantages
Soft
High density
Uses
Construction (prevents water leaks around roofs)
Weights for diving
Radiation shields
Water pipes (but is harmful to humans)
How can you make aluminium stronger?
Alloy it
Is copper used in its pure form and why
It’s used in its pure form as alloying it reduces its electrical conductivity
What is brass made of?
Copper and zinc
What is bronze made of?
Copper and tin