Properties and Types of Metals and Alloys
Metals and Alloys
Metals and alloys are mineral materials composed of one or more metallic elements and may contain non-metallic elements in small proportions. If a material consists of a single chemical element, it is a pure metallic material. When it consists of more than one chemical element, it is an alloy.
Pure Metals
Pure metals are rarely obtained directly from nature. Isolating them from the minerals they contain requires complex transformation processes.
Properties:
- High hardness.
- Suitable for casting processes.
- Good conductors of heat and electricity.
- Their mechanical strength allows use in high-stress applications.
- Easily recyclable.
Examples include copper, iron, aluminum, gold, and silver.
Alloys
An alloy is a combination of various metals, which can also include small quantities of some non-metallic elements. Alloys are developed to enhance the properties of the original components.
They are usually classified into:
- Ferrous Alloys: Steel is obtained by adding carbon to iron, always less than 2%. Almost 90% of the steels used in the industry are carbon steels. The most resistant are used to manufacture parts for sustained efforts. Other alloy elements, such as chromium in stainless steel, are also incorporated.
- Non-ferrous Alloys: These include copper and aluminum alloys.
- Bronze: An alloy of copper and tin, with tin content usually less than 20%. Used for decorative carvings and manufacturing elements.
- Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc that provides higher hardness and ductility than pure copper. It is very ductile when cold.
- Duralumin: Includes aluminum alloys with other metals, which helps to improve the toughness and strength of aluminum.
Metals and Alloys
Metals and alloys are mineral materials composed of one or more metallic elements and may contain non-metallic elements in small proportions. If a material consists of a single chemical element, it is a pure metallic material. When it consists of more than one chemical element, it is an alloy.
Pure Metals
Pure metals are rarely obtained directly from nature. Isolating them from the minerals they contain requires complex transformation processes.
Properties:
- High hardness.
- Suitable for casting processes.
- Good conductors of heat and electricity.
- Their mechanical strength allows use in high-stress applications.
- Easily recyclable.
Examples include copper, iron, aluminum, gold, and silver.
Alloys
An alloy is a combination of various metals, which can also include small quantities of some non-metallic elements. Alloys are developed to enhance the properties of the original components.
They are usually classified into:
- Ferrous Alloys: Steel is obtained by adding carbon to iron, always less than 2%. Almost 90% of the steels used in the industry are carbon steels. The most resistant are used to manufacture parts for sustained efforts. Other alloy elements, such as chromium in stainless steel, are also incorporated.
- Non-ferrous Alloys: These include copper and aluminum alloys.
- Bronze: An alloy of copper and tin, with tin content usually less than 20%. Used for decorative carvings and manufacturing elements.
- Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc that provides higher hardness and ductility than pure copper. It is very ductile when cold.
- Duralumin: Includes aluminum alloys with other metals, which helps to improve the toughness and strength of aluminum.