METALS

A metal is something hard and strong that can be in different colours and can have different uses.

There are some metals that are a really good conductors of electricity.

There are two types of mertal:

• NON-FERROUS.....The non-ferrours metals do not contains iron

ALUMINIUM:

Bright white colour, light, oxidation resistant. Containers and metalwork.

COPPER:

Reddish colour, excellent thermal and electric conductor. It is used to make electrical conductors and central heating

TIN:

It has a very low fusion point and is a bluey-white colour and it's very soft. It is very useful for welding pipes and copper cables.

SILVER:

Mainly a natural substance, but mixing with copper create sterling silver. Used for decorative impact in ornaments, and also to solder different metals together.

BRASS:

It's a combination of copper and zinc. Is used for ornamental purposes and within electrical fittings.

• FERROUS....The ferrous metals contains iron

MILD STEEL:
Iron-carbon alloy containing less than 0.25 percent carbon which makes it more ductile and less hard. Used for engineering purposes and in general, none specialised metal products.

CAST IRON:

Very strong but brittle. Used to manufacture items such as engine blocks and manhole covers.

WROUGHT IRON:

Used to make items such as ornamental gates and fencing.

• ALLOY.....Metal blended with one or more other metals or non-metallic substances that change its properties and structure.
  

CARBON STEELS:

Are ferrous alloys that contain carbon and small levels of other alloying elements, such as manganese or aluminium.

BRASS:

Is any alloy consisting primarily of copper (non-ferrours), usually with zinc.

BRONZE:

Any similar non-ferrours(cooper alloy)consisting in other elements in place of tin, such as aluminium bronze, beryllium bronze, etc.

• NEW MATERIALS ABOURT METALS

MICROLATTICE:

It is the lightest metal ever.

SUPER-HARD METAL:

This metal has been made in a laboratory by melting together titanium and gold. It is four times harder than titanium.