1.2 Metals

properties of aluminium

lightweight, ductile, malleable, corrosion resistant, electrical and thermal conductor, can be welded

Uses of aluminium

drink cans, aircraft bodies, bike frames, window frames, packaging, baking foil

properties of copper

Ductile, malleable, good conductivity, tough, good electrical and thermal conductor, can be soldered and brazed, high mp

uses of copper

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

properties of zinc

Low melting point, good corrosion resistance

Uses of zinc

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

properties of silver

Malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant, can be soldered, high mp

uses of silver

Jewellery, cutlery, plating other materials

properties of gold

Malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant, can be soldered, high mp, unreactive

uses of gold

Jewellery, electronic components, connectors, switch components

Properties of titanium

hard, strong, low density, resistant to corrosion, high melting point, lightweight, low mp

uses of titanium

Joint replacements, tooth implants, spectacle frames, aircraft, spacecraft, golf clubs, bicycles, ship hulls

properties of tin

Ductile, malleable, low melting point, corrosion resistant

uses of tin

Soft solder, coatings for food cans, rarely used in pure form

properties of low carbon steel

ductile, high tensile strength, tough malleable, poor resistance to corrosion

uses of low carbon steel

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

properties of medium carbon steel

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

uses of medium carbon steel

Springs, gardening tools (trowels, forks)

properties of cast iron

Hard skin, brittle, soft core, good in compression, self-lubricating, magnetic

uses of cast iron

Disc brakes, machine parts, engine blocks; sheet furniture, for example decorative bollards, bins and lighting

Properties of high speed steel

Hard, tough, high level of resistance to frictional heat

Uses of high speed steel

Tool blades, drill bits, milling cutters, router bits

properties of stainless steel

hard, tough, excellent corrosion resistance

uses of stainless steel

sinks, kitchenware, cutlery

properties of die steel

hard, tough

uses of die steel

Blanking punches and dies, extruder dies, fine press tools

properties of brass

Corrosion resistant, easily machined, good heat/electrical conductor, casts well, harder than copper, polishes well.

uses of brass

boat fittings, door furniture, cast valves and taps, ornaments

properties of bronze

Tough and resistant to corrosion

uses of bronze

Statues, coins, bearings

Properties of duralumin

Strong, soft and malleable, excellent corrosion resistance, lightweight

uses of duralumin

Aircraft parts, vehicle parts

properties of pewter

Malleable, low mp, casts well, high percentage of tin and remainder of copper and antimony

uses of pewter

Tankards, flasks, goblets, photo frames, decorative items, candlesticks, sports trophies

what are the stock forms of metal?

sheet, plate, bar, tube, structural (H,L,I, tee, channel)

what is copper's ore?

chalcopyrite

what is aluminium's ore?

Bauxite

What is tin's ore?

cassiterite

what is zinc's ore?

zinc blende