Metals and their uses

All metals fall within two groups

Pure Metals Alloys

Iron

Copper

Aluminium

Lead

Zinc

Tin

Gold

(a mixture of two or more materials)

Brass ( Copper & Zinc)

Steel (Iron & Carbon)

Cast Iron (Iron & Carbon)

Duralium (Aluminium & Copper)

Bronze (Copper, Tin, Phosphorus)

High Speed Steel (Tungsten, Chromium, Carbon,

Vanadium & Molybdenum)

These metals can be further subdivided

Ferrous Metals Non Ferrous Metals (Containing Iron) (Containing No Iron)

Iron

Steel

Cast Iron

HSS

CopperAluminium

LeadZincTin

GoldBrass

DuraliumBronze

Steel and its uses Steel is the most commonly used metal and is used in everything from Sewing needles to Skyscrapers

HMS Ark Royal

The Golden Gate Bridge

AHS Library

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Low Cost, High Strength & Easy to work with.

Rusts

Steel

Rod

Bar (Flat & Square)

SheetSteel is also available in Tube, Hex bar, Angle Iron, and Girders

In the school workshop we have the following types of Steel

The Kilean is a mussel farm boat operating in Loch Spelve on the Island of Mull. Built in 1999

From aluminum pioneer to volume production: Audi has now built more than 150,000 vehicles with aluminum body - including over 93,000 Audi A8 and just under 57,000 A2 models.

Aluminium and its uses

Advantages: Disadvantages:

Lightweight, Malleable, Ductile & Does not corrode, Low melting point (660 C)

Higher Cost than steel, Harder to Weld

The Kilean

Audi A8

Ingots

Sheet

Rod

Bar (rectangular and square)

Extrusion

Aluminium

In the school work shop we have the following types of aluminium

Copper is one of the oldest metals known to man. The earliest known copper article is a pendant dating from 9000 BC in Asia

Minor. Copper gradually became more plentiful as ancient man learnt how to produce copper from copper ore. The discovery of alloying copper and tin to

make bronze (the first ever alloy) was a major step forward because bronze is

harder, tougher and stronger than copper

Copper and its uses

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Malleable, Ductile, Good Conductor of heat & electricity, Does not corrode to any great extent

High Cost & Rather soft

Gutters

Wire

Pots & Pans

Copper

Sheet

Rod

Bar (rectangular and square)

In the school work shop we have the following types of copper

Brass and its uses

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Ductile & Does not corrode to any great extent

High Cost & Brittle if cold worked

Musical Instruments

Hardware

Ornaments

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is used extensively in the production of maritime fixtures and fittings (screws, hinges etc)

Woodscrews

Brass

Sheet

Rod

Bar (rectangular and square)

In the school work shop we have the following types of brass

Lead is often used in batteries, Radiation shields around X-ray equipment and nuclear reactors, Used to contain corrosive liquids & For ammunition. The Romans used lead for plumbing (the decline of the Roman empire is attributed to lead in the water supply!)

Lead and its uses

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Malleable, Ductile, Easy to work & Does not corrode to any great extent

Heavy & Rather soft

Roofing Materials

Fishing Weights

Stain Glass Windows

Malleable: Malleability is the ability of a material to be hammered or rolled without cracking. Very few metals have good malleability when cold, but most are malleable when heated to a suitable temperature.

Ductile: A ductile material is one which can easily be drawn out into thin wire.

Brittle: A Brittle material may resist a steady force but fail easily when subject to a sharp blow.

Hardness:Hardness is defined as a resistance to indentation or scratching.

Toughness:Tough materials resist fracture by blows.

Glossary of Terms