Metals Flashcards
What are metals made from?
An ore
How can metal be converted into usable form
has to be mined, refined and processed
What is an alloy?
A mixture of two or more metals to improve their properties
What are the two main types of metals?
- Ferrous Metals
- Non-ferrous metals
What are ferrous metals?
Metals containing iron
What are non-ferrous metals?
Metals that do not contain iron
Can both types of metals be recycled?
Yes
Ferrous Metals
How is carbon steel made?
Pure iron is generally too soft
adding carbon makes this material
Ferrous Metals
What does the amount of steel determine on pure iron?
Effect on the material’s properties
Ferrous Metals
Disadvantage of carbon steel
- Poor corrosion resistance - rust easily
Ferrous Metals
How to reduce corrosion resistance with carbon steel?
Coating with other metals e.g zinc
or
painted
Ferrous Metals
Properties of low-carbon steel
- Weakest steels
- Stronger than non-ferrous metals
- Easy to machine
- Tough and cheap
- Cannot be hardened or tempered
Ferrous Metals
Examples of using low-carbon steel
- Car bodies
- Panels for fridge
- Steel sheet
- Screws nails
Ferrous Metals
Properties of medium carbon steel
- Tough, strong and hard
- Fairly cheap
- More difficult to form than low carbon steel
- Cannot be hardened
Ferrous Metals
Where is medium carbon steel used fo?
- Gears
- railway wheels
- high strength tubing
Ferrous Metals
Properties of high carbon steel
- Strong and harder than medium carbon steel
- Not Tough
- Difficult to form but quite cheap
- Can be hardened and tempered
Ferrous Metals
Where is high carbon steel used?
- Ball bearings
- knives
- saws
- chisels
- hammer
Ferrous Metals
Properties of cast iron
- Good compressive strength
- Hard but can be brittle
- Melts easily
- Good for casting
- Cheap
- Poor corrosion resistance - rusts easily
Ferrous Metals
Where is cast iron used?
- Engine blocks
- Engineering vices
- Anvils
Ferrous Metals
Properties of stainless steel
- Hard and can be difficult to machine
- Quite expensive
- Good corrosion resistance
Ferrous Metals
Where is stainless steel used?
- Sinks
- kettles
- medical equipment
- knives
- forks
What are the most common
non-ferrous metals?
- Aluminium
- Titanium
- Zinc
- Pure copper
- Bronze and bass
Non-ferrous metals
Advantages of aluminium
- Good corrosion resistance
- Lower density than steel - same size , less weight
Non-ferrous metals
Disadvantages of aluminium
- Expensive than steel
- Not as strong
- often alloyed to improve its uses
Non-ferrous metals
What is aluminium used and its alloys?
- Aircraft structures
- cans for soft drinks
Non-ferrous metals
Advantages of titanium
- Stronger than aluminium
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Lower density than steel
Non-ferrous metals
Disadvantages of using titanium and its alloys
Used for high performance aircraft structures
Non-ferrous metals
Advantages of pure copper
- Good conductor of electricity
- Flexible
Non-ferrous metals
Disadvantage of using pure copper
It lacks strength
How is pure copper made strong?
By adding copper oxide
Non-ferrous metals
What is pure copper used for?
Wires and pipework for domestic use
What is bronze?
An alloy of copper and tin
frequently used for casting
What is brass?
Alloy of copper and zinc
which is difficult to cast but machined to a good finish
What is the uses of brass and bronze?
- High-pressure valve bodies
- Statues
- doorknobs
- electrical parts
