Ferrous metals:

Group of metals contain iron.

- Produced in a blast furnace.

- Material produced is called pig iron.
- Converted into steel.

Iron is soft and ductile, not particularly useful.

Non-ferrous metals:
Does not contain iron.

Things like aluminium, copper, gold, lead, platinum, lead, silver, tin, titanium and zinc

Alloys:
Two or more metals combined to produce materials with enhanced properties.

Things like:

- Duralumin – mixture of copper, magnesium and manganese

- brass – made of zinc.
- bronze – made of tin.

Alloying steels:
Stainless steels, used in sinks and cutlery.

high speed steel, cutting tools like drills.

tool and die steels, fine pressed tools.

high tensile steels. Car engines and components

metal enhancements
each metal has its own range of properties (like toughness, hardness and ductility)

made of millions of tiny metal grains, structure of grain influences the property. Grain size and nature
is dependent on element and temperature it was heated too and the subsequent rate of cooling
during processing.

Metal properties can be enhanced through controlled heating and cooling, known as heat treatment.

Work hardening
When metal is “cold worked” such as by bending, rolling or hammering. The crystals within the metal
are distorted and changed, leading to improved tensile strength and hardness in the worked areas.
Known as hardening.

When metal crystals are distorted, they are prevented from moving freely, results in less ductility, in
cracking or damage the worked area. Removed by annealing the metal.

annealing
used to make the work hardened metal easier to work by making it less brittle and more ductile.
Metal is heated and then very slowly cooled, allowing crystals to grow and slowly move into place.
Used in specific temperature-controlled furnace or a brazing hearth.

Case hardening
Used to harden the surface if steels with less than 0.4% carbon. Outside layer has greater resistance
while inside still contains the softer property. Used in gears, shafts, vehicle cams.

Carburising – placed in ceramic box which is packed with carbon. Heated to about 930-950 degrees
for a predetermined length of time. Carbon atoms diffuse into the materials structure to build up
surface carbon content.

Then it goes to

Quenching – hot metal is then quenched in water. Seals the hard surface case while not affecting the
inside.

hardening
heating medium and high carbon steels to alter the crystalline structure. Follows the carburising and
quenching process. Greatly increases the hardness property but also increases brittleness. Too much
internal stress for practical use.