Structure of Metals

• DEADLNES:
• Assignment 1 Submission : 22nd
December 2020
• Assignment 2 Submission: 19th January
2021
• Contact details: Mr. Omal Mumuni-
Timtey (o.mumuni-timtey@eastcoast.ac.uk)
Lecture 3b
Introduction

Metals are an
extremely versatile
range of materials.

The properties and

performances of
metals are a direct
result of their structure.

To understand metals
and modify their
properties, their
structures need to
be considered.

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Atomic Structure

Like all matter, metals

are composed of atoms.

Nucleus

An atom consists of a Electron

tiny positive nucleus
surrounded by electrons.

Metals such as iron, copper,

aluminium and magnesium
are elements. Metals can
also be combined to form
alloys.

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Metallic Bonding

The key feature that

distinguishes metals
from other materials
is their bonding.

In a metal, some of the

outer electrons are free
to move around and
form a ‘sea’ of
wandering shared
electrons in the metal.

The positive metal ions Positive ion Shared electrons

form a 3-dimensional
lattice structure
surrounded by the
‘electron sea’.

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Metallic Bonding

Free electrons give the

metal high thermal and
electrical conductivity.

They also provide the

‘glue’ for bonding the
metal atoms.
Heat

The bonding allows the

metal ions to move
within the structure.

Metallic bonding
gives metals their
inherent plasticity.
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Crystals

Solid metals have a

crystalline structure.

The atoms arrange

themselves in a
geometric lattice.

A silver metal crystal

Atoms can be
thought of as solid
spheres, the lattice
having a repeating,
simple structure
through the metal.

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Crystal Structure

Metals have one of

three basic crystal
structure types:

 Body-centred cubic

 Face-centred cubic

 Hexagonal
close-packed

The crystal structure has

a large influence on the
properties of the metal.

These properties include

ductility, brittleness and
hardness.
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Body-Centred Cubic

The body-centred cubic

(BCC) structure has one
atom at each corner and
the centre of the cube.

Metals with a BCC

structure include lithium,
chromium, vanadium,
iron and tungsten.

It is difficult for the

planes of atoms to
slip over each other,
so BCC metals are
usually hard and not
very ductile.
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Face-Centred Cubic

The face-centred cubic

(FCC) structure has
one atom located at
each corner and the
centre of each face.

Metals with the FCC

structure include
aluminium, copper, gold,
iridium, lead, nickel,
platinum and silver.

The atoms are closely

packed, so FCC metals
are quite dense but
fairly ductile.

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Hexagonal Close-Packed

Metals that have the

hexagonal close-packed
(HCP) structure include
beryllium, zinc,
magnesium, titanium
and zirconium.

The atoms are closely

packed, so HCP
metals are dense and
usually quite brittle.

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Changing Crystals

Most metals retain their

crystal structure, but a few
important ones change
their structure depending
on their temperature.

Iron
Iron has a BCC structure,
but when heated above
912°C it transforms into
an FCC structure.

Titanium changes from an

HCP structure to a BCC
structure above 882°C. Titanium

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Solidification

As a liquid metal
cools, small particles
form and act as a
seed around which
the crystal grows.

Many of these small

seeds form
independently, and a
crystal grows around
each one.

As they grow, they

interfere with
neighbouring crystals,
and many randomly
arranged crystals are
formed in the metal.
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Grains

Each crystal that

forms in the metal is
known as a grain.

Grain boundaries
The surfaces where the
grains meet are called
grain boundaries.

Grains are the

smallest structures
that can be seen in
metals with a light
microscope.

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Viewing Grain Structure

Example of brass microstructure Example of aluminium microstructure

To see the grain structure of a metal with a microscope, the metal surface
must be highly polished.
Acids are used to etch the surface of the metal and highlight the
grain boundaries. Next >
Grain Structure

The grain structure

has a large influence
on the properties of
a metal.
Randomly orientated Directionally aligned Single crystal
grain structure grain structure

Increasing resistance to creep deformation

During manufacture,
controlling the grain
structure of metals
is important.

A structure with many

small grains will
improve the strength,
hardness and impact
resistance of a metal.
A fine-grained brass microstructure

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Question 1

Which of the following is a type of crystal structure found in metals?

A) Body-centred cubic

B) Face-centred cubic

C) Hexagonal close-packed

D) All of the above

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Question 1

Which of the following is a type of crystal structure found in metals?

A) Body-centred cubic

B) Face-centred cubic

C) Hexagonal close-packed

D) All of the above

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Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of metals that results from

metallic bonding?

A) Metals are very poor electrical conductors.

B) Metals are very good thermal insulators.

C) Metals can be deformed plastically.

D) Metals are always very dense.

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Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of metals that results from

metallic bonding?

A) Metals are very poor electrical conductors.

B) Metals are very good thermal insulators.

C) Metals can be deformed plastically.

D) Metals are always very dense.

Metallic bonding allows the metal ions to move within the structure
without breaking discrete bonds allowing the metal to be deformed
plastically.
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Question 3

When describing metal structures, what are grains?

A) Grains are the individual metal atoms.

B) Grains are the small crystals formed when a metal solidifies.

C) Grains are the boundaries between metal crystals.

D) Grains describe the lattice structure of metals.

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Question 3

When describing metal structures, what are grains?

A) Grains are the individual metal atoms.

B) Grains are the small crystals formed when a metal solidifies.

C) Grains are the boundaries between metal crystals.

D) Grains describe the lattice structure of metals.

Grains are part of the cooling process.

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Summary

In this presentation you have seen:

 the atomic, crystal and grain structure of metals

End