C1 - Properties of Metals Flashcards
What are the 4 basic properties of metals?
Strong
Malleable
Conduct heat
Conduct electricity
Give 3 everyday uses of metals
Their strength and malleable make them good for car bodies and bridges
Useful for things that heat needs to travel through (saucepan bases)
Electrical wires because of their electrical conductivity
What are the 2 main disadvantages of using metals?
Some corrode when exposed to air and water
They can get “metal fatigued” when they are constantly stressed and strained leading to metals breaking
What are the properties of copper?
Good conductor of electricity
Hard and strong but can be bent
Doesn’t react with water
What are the properties of aluminium?
Corrosion-resistant
Low density (light)
Not strong when pure but very strong when alloyed
What are the properties of titanium?
Low density (light)
Very strong
Corrosion resistant
What is the problem with pure iron?
It is extremely malleable
What is iron like when it comes straight from the blast furnace?
Usually 96% iron and 4% carbon
It is very brittle so it doesn’t have many uses
Called cast iron
Why is pure iron so malleable?
The arrangement of atoms is very regular so the layers can slide over one another very easily
What is an alloy?
A mix of 2 or more metals
What is steel?
An alloy made from iron and carbon
What are the properties and uses of low carbon steel?
Easily shaped and is used for car bodies
What are the properties and uses of high carbon steel?
Very hard and inflexible and is used for blades for cutting tools and bridges
What is stainless steel made from?
Iron and carbon with added chromium and nickel
What are the properties and uses of stainless steel?
Corrosion-resistant and is used for cutlery and containers for corrosive substances
