properties of metals

Acronyms

non-ferrous - CAT GSTZ

non ferrous alloy - BBDP

ferrous - LMC

ferrous alloy - SHD

Names of the ores for…

• copper

• tin

• aluminium

• zinc

• copper - chalcopyrite

• tin - cassiterite

• aluminium - bauxite

• zinc - zinc blende

Stock forms for metals

Sheet

Plate

Structural

• H beam

• I beam

• Tee bar

• Channel

• Angle (L beam)

Tube

• Round

• Square

• Rectangular

• Hexagonal

Bar

• Round

• Square

• Flat

• Hexagonal

Copper

• non-ferrous

• ductile, malleable, very good conductor

• used for plumbing, electrical components, cookware, roof coverings

• melting point 1080c

Aluminium

• non-ferrous

• very light, tough, malleable

• used for window frames, cooking foil, ladders, expensive bike frames

• melting point 660c

Tin

• non-ferrous

• highly ductile, malleable

• resistant from moisture corrosion

• used for food cans, beer cans, whistles, tin foil and solder (rarely used pure)

• melting point 230c

Gold

• non-ferrous

• dense, soft, shiny

• malleable, ductile and a good conductor

• more expensive than other metals

• used for jewellery and in computers

• melting point 1340c

Silver

• non-ferrous

• soft, malleable, ductile

• used for jewellery, high quality cutlery, coins, trophies and mirror

• melting point 960c

Titanium

• non-ferrous

• hard, lightweight, similar strength to steel

• used for aircraft, ship hulls and joint replacement

• melting point 1670c

Zinc

• non-ferrous

• very resistant from moisture corrosion, weak. used for coatings mainly

• used to galvanise / coat screws, steel buckets.

• melting point 420c

Brass

• non ferrous alloy

• alloy of copper and zinc

• good conductor, corrosion resistant, easy to work

• not as strong as steel, but stronger than copper

• used for instruments, firearms cartridges, taps (casts well)

• melting point 930c

Bronze

• non ferrous alloy

• alloy of mainly copper with tin

• hard but brittle, very resistant to corrosion

• used for ship propellers, underwater fittings, statues and medals

• melting point 950c

Duralumin

• non ferrous alloy

• alloy of mainly aluminium, copper and various other metal

• similar stength to LCS, lightweight, ductile

• can be worked

• used for aircraft and vehicle parts

• melting point ~600c

Pewter

• non ferrous alloy

• alloy of mainly tin, with some copper

• malleable, casts well

• used for flasks, photo frames and candlesticks

• melting point ~200c

Steel properties

Low carbon steel (LCS)

• ferrous

• up to 0.25% carbon

• also can be called mild steel

• good ductility and tensile strength

• used for nuts, bolts and car bodies

• melting point 1430c

Medium Carbon Steel

• ferrous

• 0.25-0.5% carbon

• harder than LCS, but less ductile and malleable

• tough

• used for springs and gardening tools

• melting point ~1490c

Cast Iron

• ferrous

• mostly iron, with some carbon

• very strong and brittle

• used as car brake discs, car cylinders, metal work vices, manhole covers, pillar drill

• melting point 1150c

Stainless Steel

• ferrous alloy

• alloy of iron, chrome, and chromium

• tough, hard and corrosion resistant

• used for sinks, kitchenware and cutlery

• melting point 1510c

High Speed Steel (HSS)

• ferrous alloy

• high content of tungsten, chromium, vanadium with iron

• very brittle and very resistant to wear

• used for drill bits, lathe cutting tools

• melting point 1430c 

Die Steel

• ferrous alloy

• hard and tough

• used for blanking punches and dies

• melting point ~1460c