Metals Flashcards
Name the casting methods
Lost wax Investment
Sand
Low pressure die (gravity)
High pressure die
What is the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals?
Ferrous contain iron, non-ferrous do not
What are the main 4 examples of ferrous metals?
Mild steel (low carbon)
Medium carbon steel
High carbon steel
Cast iron
Properties of mild steel
Ductile
High tensile strength
Tough
Malleable
Poor resistance to corrosion
Least amount of carbon
Medium carbon steel properties
Harder than low carbon
Less ductile, malleable and tough
Higher carbon content
Cast iron properties
Harder outer skin
Brittle core
Good under compression
Mild steel uses
Nuts
Bolts
Washers
Screws
Car bodies
Fences
Medium carbon steel uses
Springs
Gardening tools
Railways.
Cast iron uses
Machine parts
Cookware
Problem with ferrous metals
Tendency to rust due to iron content
Non ferrous metal examples
Aluminium
Zinc
Tin
Copper
Properties of aluminium
Lightweight
TIG welded
Conductor
Malleable
Ductile
Uses of aluminium
Drinks cans
Aircraft bodies
Bike frames
Baking foil
Zinc properties
Low melting point
Good corrosion resistance
Zinc uses
Galvanising steel for protection
Tin properties
Ductile
Malleable
Low melting point
Corrosion resistant
Tin uses
Solder
Food cans coating
(Rarely used in pure form)
Copper properties
Ductile
Malleable
Tough
Corrosion resistant
Good conductivity
Soldered or brazed
Copper uses
Electrical wire
Water pipes
Water tanks
Central heating pipe
What is an alloy? How are they made?
Metals made of two or more metals, or combining two or more elements, one of which must be a metal. In order to optimise advantages of metals mechanical and physical properties.
Alloys are produced in either a furnace or in a casting process
Metals are melted together into specific quantities and then poured into bars for future products
Examples of alloys
Stainless steel
Duralumin
Brass
Properties of stainless steel
Tough
Hard
Corrosion resistant
18% chrome, 8% nickel
High melting point
Uses of stainless steel
Cutlery
Kitchenware
Sinks
Duralumin properties
4% copper, 1% magnesium and manganese
High tensile strength (same as mild steel)
More lightweight, ductile
Becomes harder when worked
Duralumin uses
Aircraft parts
Vehicle parts
Brass properties
Corrosion resistant
Good conductivity
Low melting point (930 degrees)
Casts well
Brass uses
Boat fittings
Door furniture
Taps
Ornaments
What is the aim of heat treatment?
To alter the metals properties via heating and cooling its grain structure
Examples of heat treatment
Hardening
Tempering
Case hardening
Annealing
Normalising
What is hardening?
High and medium carbon steel is heated to a temp above recrystallisation. It is then held here for a given time to create a consistent temp. Then it is rapidly cooled in water, oil, air or salt water.
Outcomes of quench hardening
Increased hardness so products resists wear and fracture on surface
Does not change core properties