1.2 Metals Flashcards
Mild steel make up
alloy of iron+carbon
0.15-0.30% carbon
properties of mild steel
easily cut and machined
malleable
ductile
tough
high tensile strength
joined by welding
uses of mild steel
general engineering products
nuts/bolts
disadvantages of mild steel
will rust when exposed to water
Needs to have a finish such as a paint or coat or be galvanised
make up of medium carbon steel
0.3-0.7% carbon and iron
properties of medium carbon steel
can be cut, shaped and machined well
uses of medium carbon steel
garden tools and springs
disadvantages of medium carbon steel
prone to rusting
less ductile and less malleable than mild steel
high carbon steel make up
0.7-1.4% carbon and iron
high carbon steel properties
very hard
can be cut, shaped and machined well
high compressive strength
can be tough when heat treated
high carbon steel uses
Hammers, drill bits, cutting tools and files
High carbon steel disadvantages
prone to rusting
cast iron make up
2.5-4% carbon and iron
cast iron properties
casts into intricate shapes easily
easily machined
corrosion resistant
hard outer layer
soft inner layer
high thermal conductivity
Cast iron uses
cookware
car brakes
components for machinery like the tail and head stock on a lathe
cast iron disadvantages
Quite brittle despite hard outer layer.
Very tricky to weld
aluminium properties
melting point of 650c, lower than other metals
Very malleable
Ductile
Lightweight
Corrosion resistant
conductive
aluminium uses
drinks and aerosol cans
foil
castings
aircraft
engines
what’s aluminium mined from?
bauxite, its the most plentiful material in the earths crust
properties of tin
melting point of 232c (very low)
non toxic
corrosion resistant
easily alloys
tin uses
used for plating other metals, soldering, cans
copper properties
Melting point of 1100c.
Malleable
Ductile
Corrosion Resistant
Easily cut and machined
Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity
Copper uses
Electrical wiring
central heating + plumbing
copper disadvantages
While it can be worked cold, it hardens very quickly so it needs heat treatment for further work