Metals Properties and uses Flashcards
What are some uses of metals based on their properties?
> strong and malleable
- car bodies and bridges
> ductile and conductive
- wires
> conductive
- bases of saucepans.
What are some properties of copper?
> use
> good conductor
- electrical wires
> hard and strong but malleable
> doesn’t react with water
> water pipes
What are some properties of aluminium ?
> use
> non corrosive
> low density
> not strong but can form strong alloys.
> aeroplanes
What are some properties of titanium?
> use
> low density
> non corrosive
> strong
- replacement hips
What are some disadvantages to metals?
> they had be corroded by metal and air and will lose their strength and hardness
> repeated strain can cause metal fatigue, causing them to break
What is cast iron?
> iron straight from the blast furnace
- only 96% Iron
> useful for railings but is brittle
How are steels made?
> carbon and small amounts of other metals are added to iron
Describe low carbon steel.
> 0.1% carbon
> easily shaped
> used for car bodies
Describe high carbon steel.
> 1.5% carbon
> hard and inflexible
> used for blades for cutting tools
- bridges
Describe stainless steel.
> chromium and sometimes nickel are added
> corrosion resistant
> used for :
- cutlery
- containers for corrosive substances
Why are alloys harder than pure metals?
> atoms are different sizes
> if another element is added to a metal it will upset the regular layers of atoms, stopping them from being able to slide over one another
- alloys are harder
What is bronze made from?
Copper and tin
> harder than copper
- statues and medals
Describe Cupronickel
> made from copper and nickel
> hard and corrosion resistant
- silver coins
Why are alloys made from gold?
> so that cheaper harder jewellery can be made
Describe aluminium alloys.
> Al is low density but as an alloy it can be harder
- useful for aeroplanes
