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Ferrous Metals - Metals that contain iron.
Non-Ferrous Metals - Metals that do not contain iron.
Some Ferrous Metals & Properties
| Name |
Alloy Of |
Properties |
Uses |
| Mild Steel |
Carbon 0.1 - 0.3%
Iron 99.9 - 99.7%
|
Tough. High tensile strength. Can be case hardened. Rusts very easily.
|
Most common metal used in school workshops. Used in general metal products and engineering. |
| Carbon Steel |
Carbon 0.6 - 1.4%
Iron 99.4 - 98.6%
|
Tough. Can be hardened and tempered.
|
Cutting tools such as drills.
|
| Stainless Steel |
Iron, nickel and chromium |
Tough, resistant to rust and stains.
|
Cutlery, medical instruments.
|
| Cast Iron |
Carbon 2 - 6%
Iron 98 - 94%
|
Strong but brittle. Compressive strength very high.
|
Castings, manhole covers, engines.
|
| Wrought Iron |
Almost 100% iron |
Fibrous, tough, ductile, resistant to rusting.
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Ornamental gates and railings. Not in much use today.
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Some Non-Ferrous Metals & Properties
| Name |
Color
|
Alloy Of |
Properties |
Uses |
| Aluminium |
Light Grey |
Aluminium 95%
Copper 4%
Manganese 1%
|
Ductile, soft, malleable, machines well. Very light.
|
Window frames, aircraft, kitchen ware. |
| Copper |
Reddish-Brown |
Not an alloy
|
Ductile, can be beaten into shape. Conducts electricity and heat.
|
Electrical wiring, tubing, kettles, bowls, pipes.
|
| Brass |
Yellow
|
Mixture of copper and zinc 65% - 35% most common ratio. |
Hard. Casts and machines well. Surface tarnishes. Conducts electricity.
|
Parts for electrical fittings, ornaments. |
| Silver |
Whitish grey |
Mainly silver but alloyed with copper to give sterling silver.
|
Ductile, Malleable, solders, resists corrosion.
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Jewellery, solder, ornaments.
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| Lead |
Bluish grey |
Not an alloy.
|
Soft, heavy, ductile, loses its shape under pressure.
|
Solders, pipes, batteries, roofing.
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