Lecture 1

Nonferrous metallurgy
Subjects of interest
Overviews of nonferrous metals
Aluminium and aluminium alloys
Magnesium and magnesium alloys
Titanium and titanium alloys
Copper and copper alloys
Zinc and its alloys
Nickel and its alloys
Other significant alloys

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Nonferrous metallurgy
Course instruction
Lecturer:

Dr. Tapany Udomphol

Assessment
Assignment/quiz
Midterm exam
Final exam

20 %
40 %
40 %

Total

Suranaree University of Technology

100 %

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Objectives
This course provides fundamental knowledge of metals
other than ferrous metals, for example aluminium,
magnesium, copper, zinc, titanium and nickel alloys, which
are significant for commercial uses.
This starts with when the metals are extracted, melted and
formed in relation to their final applications. More importantly,
the nature of the alloys associated with their physical and
mechanical properties will be highlighted.
The selection of nonferrous alloys for the desired
applications will be discussed such that the exploitation of
nonferrous metals will be at its best.

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Overview of nonferrous metals

Why nonferrous?

Light weight
Stiffness strength to weight ratio
High temperature properties

Nonferrous

Oxidation resistance
Corrosion resistance

High cost
Depending on extraction
and production
Suranaree University of Technology

Biocompatibility
Thermal/electrical conductivity
Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Nonferrous metals
There are different types of nonferrous metals which are
commercially used;

Aluminium and its alloys

Magnesium and its alloys
Titanium and its alloys
Copper and its alloys
Zinc and its alloys
Nickel and its alloys

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

World consumption

Aluminium, titanium and

magnesium alloys are
increasingly used in recent years
due to its attractive properties.
The reserves for these alloys are
adequate for demands in centuries
to come but will be controlled by
future cost.

World production figure for

various metals and plastics.
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Major chemical elements

available in earth

Aluminium is the most abundant metal in earth.

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Density of metals

Metal

Density (g.cm-3)

Iron
Steel
Aluminium
Magnesium
Titanium
Copper
Zinc
Nickel
Lead
Silver
Gold

Suranaree University of Technology

7.87
7.80
2.70
1.74
4.54
8.96
7.13
8.89
11.36
10.49
19.32

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Total energy consumption for the

production of nonferrous metals
Total energy consumption

Ti > Mg > Al > Cu > Zn > Steel

The energy consumption is

mainly paid in the
reduction process.

Total energy consumption in megawatt

hours for each stage of production (1993).

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Mechanical properties in comparison

Relationship of specific 0.2% proof stress with temperature.

Titanium alloys have superior specific strength than

steels or aluminium
good for high strength where
space is critical such aircrafts.
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Aluminium and its alloys

Applications

Advantages:

Light weight
High corrosion resistance
High electrical and thermal
conductivities
High ductility
Easily deformable

Building/construction
Container
Packaging
Transportation
Electrical conductors
Machinery/equipment

Building/
construction

Containers

Light-weight bike

Car body
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

Equipment

May-Aug 2007

Magnesium and its alloys

Advantages:

Weight saving
High machinability
Disadvantages:

Difficulty in melting process

due to high reactivity.

Applications

Used as alloying element for

aluminium, steel and nodular (SG)
cast iron.
Die casting for aerospace
Transport industry.
Light weight bodies.

Handy cam & mobile

phone bodies
Magnesium side panels
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Titanium and its alloys

Advantages:

High strength to weight ratio

Moderate-high temperature
properties
Corrosion resistance
Biocompatibility
Shape memory
Disadvantages:

Applications

Structure of high speed aircrafts

75% in aerospace
Chemical industry
www3.lehigh.edu

Turbine blades

Hip-joint component

High cost
Difficulty in extraction
Limited in high performance
applications
National science centre, Scotland
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Copper and its alloys

Advantages:

High electrical conductivity

High thermal conductivity
High corrosion resistance
Good ductility and malleability
Reasonable tensile strength.

Copper
trolley
wires

www.reawire.com

Applications
Electrical conductance
Plating on components
Give different copper alloys brasses and bronzes.

www.bergquistcompany.com

Electronic products
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

www.silvexinc.com

Copper plating
May-Aug 2007

Zinc and its alloys

Advantages:
Fast rate of die casting
Excellent atmospheric
corrosion resistance.
Ability to form a well-adhering
coating on steel.

Applications
Used for galvanic protection in
steel and decorative finish.
Used in die casting.

Disadvantages:

www.zincdiecast.com

Cannot be strain hardened.

Zinc diecast
www.vmzinc.com

Zinc roof protection

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007

Nickel and its alloys

Advantages:
Tough and ductile
Good high and low
temperature strength
High oxidation resistance
Good corrosion resistance

Applications
Applications required necessary
corrosion or heat- resisting properties
Special engineering applications
Turbine blades in combustion section

Disadvantages:
High cost
Not normally mixed with
cheaper alloying metals

www.immnet.com

Aerospace flow bodies

www.msm.cam.ac.uk
Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

Turbine blades
May-Aug 2007

References
Polmear I.J., Light alloys: metallurgy of the light metals, 3rd edition,
1995, Arnold, London, ISBN 0-340-63207-0.
Smith, W.F., Structure and properties of engineering alloys, second
edition, 1993, McGraw-Hill, ISB 0-07-59172-5.

 
,   
 , 2536, 




!"
", ISBN 974-582155-1.
Kainer, K.U. (editor), Magnesium alloys and technology, DMG, 2003,
WILEY-VCH, ISBN 3-527-30256-5.
Hatch, J.E., Aluminium, Properties and physical metallurgy, ASM,
1998.
Totten, G.E., Handbook of aluminium: Physical metallurgy and
processes, Vol.1, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2003, ISBN 0-8247-0494-0.
Avedesian, M.M., Baker, H., ASM specialty handbook, Magnesium and
magnesium alloys, 1999, ISBN 0-87170-657-1.

Suranaree University of Technology

Tapany Udomphol

May-Aug 2007