Different Uses of Primary Metal Types and Alloys
Posted by Admin on October, 31, 2011
Metal is not merely a five letter word. The association of mankind with metal dates back to many centuries. Metals are the backbone to several industries in today’s world. Look around and one will notice the presence of different metals around us that are used on a daily basis. From kitchen ware to automobile, trains to airplanes, furniture to medical equipment, metal is used extensively.
The wide assortment of metals is listed on the periodic table. Each metal is characterized by its properties and features which enable them to be used for many applications. Metals are also used to form alloys which are essentially homogenous solid solutions with metals as primary constituent. A few major metals and alloys are discussed below.
Iron
Iron is one of the important metals that is used in wide spread applications. Iron is characterized by its superior mechanical properties like malleability and ductility which enable it to be hammered and drawn into thin wires without breaking or cracking. Iron often has presence of several other elements like sulfur, carbon, phosphorous etc.
Each constituent attributes to different properties. For example, Cast Iron has more Carbon content which makes it suitable for molding but unfit for hammering or drawing into wires. Wrought iron exhibits high ductility and malleability. One of the main alloys of Iron is Steel, which is used for a variety of purposes due to its superior properties like strength and resistance to corrosion, abrasion, etc.
Copper
Copper is a metal that is characterized by its ductility and superior thermal and electrical properties. The properties of copper are explored in several industries like electrical and electronics industry to jewelry industry. Copper is also used in electroplating. It is used to make alloys like brass and bronze.
Tin
The malleability and ductility of tin enables it to be made into thin sheets. Tin offers resistance to oxidation in air and so is used to coat other metals. It is used in soldering and plating. Normally used tin is essentially tin coated iron sheets. It has a low melting point. Tin is also employed in making specialized alloys like pewter and bell metal.
Aluminium
Aluminium is used extensively due to its low density and resistance to corrosion. The metal is crucial to the transportation industry especially in aerospace applications. It is also used in construction, electrical and electronics industry.
The metals and their alloys are being constantly researched and explored. The field of Metallurgy is thus set to evolve even more in the future in view of the need-driven research into the properties of metals for various applications. The field of metals and alloys manufacturing holds high potential which can be used for the progress and development of many industries, thus benefiting mankind.
The wide assortment of metals is listed on the periodic table. Each metal is characterized by its properties and features which enable them to be used for many applications. Metals are also used to form alloys which are essentially homogenous solid solutions with metals as primary constituent. A few major metals and alloys are discussed below.
Iron
Iron is one of the important metals that is used in wide spread applications. Iron is characterized by its superior mechanical properties like malleability and ductility which enable it to be hammered and drawn into thin wires without breaking or cracking. Iron often has presence of several other elements like sulfur, carbon, phosphorous etc.
Each constituent attributes to different properties. For example, Cast Iron has more Carbon content which makes it suitable for molding but unfit for hammering or drawing into wires. Wrought iron exhibits high ductility and malleability. One of the main alloys of Iron is Steel, which is used for a variety of purposes due to its superior properties like strength and resistance to corrosion, abrasion, etc.
Copper
Copper is a metal that is characterized by its ductility and superior thermal and electrical properties. The properties of copper are explored in several industries like electrical and electronics industry to jewelry industry. Copper is also used in electroplating. It is used to make alloys like brass and bronze.
Tin
The malleability and ductility of tin enables it to be made into thin sheets. Tin offers resistance to oxidation in air and so is used to coat other metals. It is used in soldering and plating. Normally used tin is essentially tin coated iron sheets. It has a low melting point. Tin is also employed in making specialized alloys like pewter and bell metal.
Aluminium
Aluminium is used extensively due to its low density and resistance to corrosion. The metal is crucial to the transportation industry especially in aerospace applications. It is also used in construction, electrical and electronics industry.
The metals and their alloys are being constantly researched and explored. The field of Metallurgy is thus set to evolve even more in the future in view of the need-driven research into the properties of metals for various applications. The field of metals and alloys manufacturing holds high potential which can be used for the progress and development of many industries, thus benefiting mankind.
This entry was posted on October, 31, 2011 at 14 : 19 pm and is filed under Metal and Alloys. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response from your own site.
