Classification of Metals

• Metals can be classified as ferrous or non

ferrous metals.

Ferrous Metals - Contain Nonferrous Metals - Do not

Iron. contain iron.
Steel is a ferrous metal Nonferrous metals -
because it contains iron. aluminum, copper, lead, tin,
zinc.
A quick way to tell if a metal
contains iron is if magnetic. Nonferrous metals are not
magnetic.
 Classification of Metals
• Metals can also be classified as pure metals
or alloys.
• Pure metals are made up of only one element.
• Alloys are 2 or more pure metals mixed
together.
• Alloys are named after their base metals. An
alloy that is made mostly out of steel, is
called a steel alloy.
 Properties of Metals
• Chemical Properties
• Physical Properties
• Mechanical Properties
 Chemical Properties
• Properties that have to do with
chemical composition of
metals.

• Corrosion resistance is an
example of a chemical property.
 Physical Properties
• Characteristics of metals when
they are not being acted on by
outside forces
– Color
– Density
– Weight
 Mechanical Properties

• Hardness - resistance to denting

or scratching.
• Hardenability - the ability of a
metal to be hardened.
 Mechanical Properties
• Ductility - property of metal that allows it to
be permanently deformed by hammering,
rolling, or drawing without breaking.
• Malleability - how easily metal can change
shape when mechanically worked.

• Most malleble metals are ductile.

 Mechanical Properties
• Toughness - ability to withstand
sudden shock without breaking
• Machinability - how easily a metal
may be machined
• Fusibility - how easily a liquid metal
will join with another liquid metal.
 Mechanical Properties
• Tensile strength - resistance of
being pulled apart
• Compressive strength - resistance
of being squeezed together
• Torsion strength - resistance to
twisting forces
Mechanical Properties
 Mechanical Properties
• Brittleness - property that causes
metal to break or crack easily
• Elasticity - ability of material to
return to its original size and shape