metal

Ferrous

Metals that contain iron.

Nonferrous

Metals that do not contain iron.

Alloys

Combining metals with metals or non-metals to achieve desired properties (e.g.

Strength

Ability to resist changing shape or size under external load.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate Tensile Strength - UTS)

Maximum stress a metal can withstand without fracture when pulled apart.

Yield Strength

The stress at which a material begins to exhibit permanent plastic deformation.

Elasticity

The ability to return to the original shape/size once the load is removed.

Plasticity

The ability to undergo permanent deformation without breaking (opposite of elasticity).

Ductility

Ability to be drawn out or stretched into a wire without breaking.

Malleability

Ability to be permanently deformed by compressive forces (e.g.

Fatigue Strength

Ability to withstand repeated alternating or cyclic loading.

Density

Ratio of mass to volume (kg/m³).

Thermal Conductivity

Ability to transfer heat through the metal.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in volume/dimensions with a unit change in temperature.

Melting Point

The temperature at which the metal turns from solid to liquid.

Visual Inspection (Steel)

Hot-rolled steel has heat scale or black mill scale; cold-rolled steel has a metallic shine.

Spark Test

Simple identification test that observes the color

Hardness Testing

Measures a material's resistance to indentation or scratch.

Flame Test

Visual inspection of the metal's melting rate and color changes during heating.

Pig Iron Production

Iron ore is reduced in a blast furnace to produce pig iron.

Steel Production

Pig iron is refined by removing impurities through oxidation.

Killed Steels

Fully deoxidized (e.g.

Annealing

Heat to appropriate temperature

Normalizing

Heat above critical range

Quenching

Rapid cooling (e.g.

Tempering

Re-heating quenched material (below recrystallization temp) followed by rapid cooling.

Distortion

Physical change in shape of a welded assembly caused by residual stresses.

Heat Input

Highly localized heating causes restrained expansion and contraction.

Shrinkage

Longitudinal and transverse weld metal shrinkage.

Bending Distortion

Longitudinal weld metal shrinkage (causes a bend along the joint).