2.4 ~ Performance characteristics of metals

Metal stock forms:

Sheet ( less than 1mm to 3mm), Plate (thicker than 3mm and narrower than sheet metal), Bar (flat, round, square, hexagonal), Tube form (round, square, rectangular, hexagonal), Structural angular (H beam, L beam, tee, channel, angle)

What ore is copper extracted from?

Chalcopyrite

What ore is aluminium extracted from?

Bauxite

What ore is Tin extracted from?

Cassiterite

What ore is zinc extracted from?

Zinc blende

Define metal ore

Occurs naturally in the Earth's crust; metals are extracted from the ore

Define ferrous metal

A metal containing mostly iron and carbon

Define non-ferrous metal

Metal that doesn't contain iron

Define alloy

A metal made of two or more metals or combining two or more elements, one must be metal

State non-ferrous metals

Aluminium, copper, zinc, silver, gold, titanium, tin

Aluminium properties

Lightweight, ductile, malleable, corrosion resistant, electrical and thermal conductor. Can be metal inert gas MIG and tungsten inert gas (TIG) heat welded. Melting temp 660

Aluminium uses

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

Copper properties

Ductile, malleable, tough, corrosion resistant, good electrical and thermal conductor. Can be soldered and brazed. Melting temp 1083

Copper uses

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

Zinc properties

Low melting point, good corrosion resistance. Melting temperature 420

Zinc uses

Galvanising steel as a protective coating for dustbins, buckets, farm gates; intricate die casting

Silver properties

: Malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant, can be soldered, melting temp 962

Silver uses

Jewellery, cutlery, used for plating other materials

Gold properties Malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant Can be soldered, melting temp 1063

Titanium properties

Hard, similar strength to steel but more lightweight, high resistance to corrosion. Melting temperature 1668

Titanium uses

Hip replacement, joint replacement Tooth implants, spectacle frames Aircraft, Spacecraft Golf clubs, bicycles, ship hulls

Tin properties

DuctileMalleable Low melting point Corrosion resistant Melting temp 232

Tin uses

Soft solder Coatings for food cans Rarely used in pure form

Ferrous metals examples

Low carbon steel, Medium Carbon steel, Cast iron

Low carbon steel properties

Ductile, high tensile strength, tough, malleable, poor resistance to corrosion, 0.15 - 0.30% carbon content, melting temp 1427

Low carbon steel uses

Nuts Bolts Washers Screws Car bodies Outer panels for white goods

Medium carbon steel properties

Harder than low carbon steel but less ductile; malleable and tough; 0.30 -0.70% carbon content; melting temp around 1425 - 1540

Medium carbon steel uses

Springs, gardening tools

Cast iron properties

Hard outer skin but brittle core; good under compression; 3.5% carbon; melting temp 1149

Cast iron uses

Disc brakes, machine parts Engine blocks

Ferrous alloys examples

Stainless steel, high-speed steel (HSS), die steel (tool steel)

Stainless steel properties

Tough, Hard Corrosion resistant; 18% chrome, 8% nickel; melting temp 1510

Stainless steel uses

Sinks, kitchenware, cutlery

High speed steel (HSS) properties

Hard, tough, high level of resistance to frictional heat; 18% tungsten, 4%chromium, 1% vanadium, 0.5 - 0.8% carbon

High speed steel (HSS) uses

Tool blades, drill bits, Milling cutters, router bits

Die steel properties

Hard, tough

Die steel uses

Blanking punches and dies, extruder dies Fine press tools

Non-ferrous alloys examples

Bronze, brass, duralumin, pewter

Bronze properties

Tough, corrosion resistant Can be cast; 90% copper, 10% tin; melting temp 930

Bronze uses

Statues, coins, bearings

Brass properties

Corrosion resistant, good electrical and thermal conductor, low melting point 930, cast well 65% copper, 35% zinc

Brass uses

Boat fittings, Door furniture, cast valves and taps, ornaments

Duralumin properties

Equivalent strength properties to mild steel but more lightweight. Ductile. Becomes harder as it is worked Aluminium with 4% copper, 1% magnesium and manganese

Duralumin uses

Aircraft parts, vehicle parts

Pewter properties

Malleable, low melting point 170- 230, casts well 85 -99% tin with the remainder consisting of copper and antimony

Pewter Uses

Tankards, Flasks, Goblets, Photo frames, Decorative items, Candlesticks, Sports trophies