UNIT 1.2 - METALS

Question 1

FERROUS METALS

Answer 1

• Contains iron

Question 2

MILD STEEL (LOW CARBON STEEL)

Answer 2

Ferrous
PROS: ductile/high tensile strength/tough/malleable
CONS: poor resistance to corrosion/weaker than medium carbon steel
USES: nuts/bolts/washers/screws/car bodies

Question 3

MEDIUM CARBON STEEL

Answer 3

Ferrous
PROS: harder than carbon steel
CONS: less ductile, malleable and tough than mild steel/difficult to work with
USES: springs/gardening tools

Question 4

CAST IRON

Answer 4

Ferrous
PROS: Hard outer skin but brittle core/good under compression/durable
CONS: prone to rusting/poor tensile strength/reactive - doesn’t react to acidic substances well
USES: disc brakes/machine parts/engine blocks

Question 5

NON-FERROUS METALS

Answer 5

• Doesn’t contain iron

Question 6

ALUMINIUM

Answer 6

Non-ferrous
PROS: lightweight/ductile/malleable/corrosion resistant /electrical and thermal conductor/can be metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) heat welded
CONS: easily dented and scratched/no compressive strength
USES: drinks can/aircraft bodies/bike frames/window frames/saucepans/cooking utensils/packaging/baking/foil

Question 7

ZINC

Answer 7

Non-ferrous
PROS: good corrosion resistance/low melting point
CONS: expensive
USES: galvanising steel as a protective coating for dustbins/buckets/farm gates/intricate die castings

Question 8

TIN

Answer 8

Non-ferrous
PROS: ductile/malleable/low melting point/corrosion resistant
CONS: harder to shape/wears down with age
USES: soft solder/coatings for food cans/rarely used in pure form

Question 9

COPPER

Answer 9

Non-ferrous
PROS: ductile/malleable/tough/corrosion resistant/good electrical and thermal conductor/can be soldered and brazed
CONS: prone to corrosion
USES: electrical wire/printed electrical circuits/water pipes/hot water tanks/central heating pipes

Question 10

ALLOYS

Answer 10

• Metals made of two or more metals, or combining two more elements, one of which must be a metal

Question 11

STAINLESS STEEL

Answer 11

Alloy
PROS: tough/hard/corrosion resistant
CONS: expensive/difficult to manufacture
USES: sinks/kitchenware/cutlery

Question 12

DURALUMIN

Answer 12

Alloy
PROS: equivalent strength properties to mild steel more lightweight/ductile
CONS: becomes harder as it is worked
USES: aircraft parts/vehicle parts

Question 13

BRASS

Answer 13

Alloy
PROS: corrosion resistant/good electrical and thermal conductor/low melting point
CONS: colour may change depending on copper content/high maintenance - prone to tarnish
USES: boat fittings/door furniture/cast valves and taps/ornaments