Metals and their uses

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Metals and their uses
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All metals fall within two groups
Pure Metals Alloys
Iron Copper Aluminium Lead Zinc Tin Gold
(a mixture of two or more materials) Brass (
Copper Zinc) Steel (Iron Carbon) Cast Iron
(Iron Carbon) Duralium (Aluminium
Copper) Bronze (Copper, Tin, Phosphorus) High
Speed Steel (Tungsten, Chromium, Carbon, Vanadium
Molybdenum)
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These metals can be further subdivided
Ferrous Metals Non Ferrous Metals
(Containing Iron)
(Containing No Iron)
Copper Aluminium Lead Zinc Tin Gold Brass Duraliu
m Bronze
Iron Steel Cast Iron HSS
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Steel and its uses
Steel is the most commonly used metal and is used
in everything from Sewing needles to Skyscrapers
HMS Ark Royal
AHS Library
Advantages
Low Cost, High Strength Easy to work with.
Disadvantages
Rusts
The Golden Gate Bridge
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Steel
Rod
Bar (Flat Square)
Steel is also available in Tube, Hex bar, Angle
Iron, and Girders
Sheet
In the school workshop we have the following
types of Steel
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Aluminium and its uses
Audi A8
From aluminum pioneer to volume production Audi
has now built more than 150,000 vehicles with
aluminum body - including over 93,000 Audi A8 and
just under 57,000 A2 models.
The Kilean
The Kilean is a mussel farm boat operating in
Loch Spelve on the Island of Mull. Built in 1999
Advantages
Disadvantages
Lightweight, Malleable, Ductile Does not
corrode, Low melting point (660 C)
Higher Cost than steel, Harder to Weld
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Aluminium
Extrusion
Bar (rectangular and square)
Ingots
Rod
Sheet
In the school work shop we have the following
types of aluminium
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Copper and its uses
Wire
Pots Pans
Gutters
Copper is one of the oldest metals known to man.
The earliest known copper article is a pendant
dating from 9000 BC in Asia Minor. Copper
gradually became more plentiful as ancient man
learnt how to produce copper from copper ore. The
discovery of alloying copper and tin to make
bronze (the first ever alloy) was a major step
forward because bronze is harder, tougher and
stronger than copper
Advantages
Malleable, Ductile, Good Conductor of heat
electricity, Does not corrode to any great extent
Disadvantages
High Cost Rather soft
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Copper
Bar (rectangular and square)
Rod
Sheet
In the school work shop we have the following
types of copper
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Brass and its uses
Hardware
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is used
extensively in the production of maritime
fixtures and fittings (screws, hinges etc)
Ornaments
Advantages
Ductile Does not corrode to any great extent
Disadvantages
Musical Instruments
High Cost Brittle if cold worked
Woodscrews
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Brass
Bar (rectangular and square)
Rod
Sheet
In the school work shop we have the following
types of brass
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Lead and its uses
Fishing Weights
Lead is often used in batteries, Radiation
shields around X-ray equipment and nuclear
reactors, Used to contain corrosive liquids For
ammunition. The Romans used lead for plumbing
(the decline of the Roman empire is attributed to
lead in the water supply!)
Roofing Materials
Advantages
Malleable, Ductile, Easy to work Does not
corrode to any great extent
Disadvantages
Heavy Rather soft
Stain Glass Windows
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Glossary of Terms
Malleable Malleability is the ability of a
material to be hammered or rolled without
cracking. Very few metals have good malleability
when cold, but most are malleable when heated to
a suitable temperature. Ductile A ductile
material is one which can easily be drawn out
into thin wire. Brittle A Brittle material may
resist a steady force but fail easily when
subject to a sharp blow. Hardness Hardness is
defined as a resistance to indentation or
scratching. Toughness Tough materials resist
fracture by blows.
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The End