METALS

Learning Objectives:

•What is METAL?
•Different Types of Metals – Ferrous, Non-Ferrous, Alloys
•Main focus of Ferrous Metals
•Properties of Metals
•Characteristics of Ferrous Metals with examples
•Advantages/Disadvantages of Ferrous Metals
 METALS
•Metals are… Solid at room temperature, except
mercury, which is liquid !

•Metals have… very high melting point.

•Metals are… shiny when they cut.

•Metals are… good conductors of heat and electricity.

•Metals are… usually strong & malleable so they can be

hammered into shape.
METALS
METALS
METALS
 METALS
Ferrous Non-Ferrous Alloys
Containing iron & Do not contain iron. A mixture of
almost all are e.g. aluminium, metals, or a
magnetic. copper, silver, gold, metal & small
e.g. mild-steel, lid, tin etc. amount of
cast-iron, tool- other substance
Steel etc.

Ferrous Alloys Non-Ferrous Alloys

e.g. e.g. brass (copper + zinc)
stainless steel bronze (copper + tin )
steel + chromium
 METALS
METALS & ALLOYS
Metals are available in pure or alloy form.

Pure Metals such as pure aluminium or pure copper, contain only one
type of metal. They are not mixed with any other metal.

Alloys are mixture of two or more pure metals.

Alloys tend to have better strength properties than pure metals.

Alloys and pure metals often have special physical properties.

 PROPERTIES OF METALS
1. Strength - The ability of a material to stand up to forces being
applied without it bending, breaking, shattering or deforming in
any way.

2. Elasticity - The ability of a material to absorb force and flex in

different directions, returning to its original position.

3. Plasticity - The ability of a material to be change in shape

permanently.

4. Ductility - The ability of a material to change shape (deform)

usually by stretching along its length.
 PROPERTIES OF METALS
5. Tensile Strength – The ability of a material to stretch without
breaking or snapping.

6. Malleability - The ability of a material to be reshaped in all

directions without cracking.

7. Toughness - A characteristic of a material that does not break or

shatter when receiving a blow or under a sudden shock.

8. Conductivity - The ability of a material to conduct electricity.

 PROPERTIES OF METALS
9. Hardness – The ability of a material to resist scratching, wear and
tear & indentation.
 FERROUS-METALS
1. Mild Steel
Composition: Iron alloy with 0.3% carbon
Properties: Malleable and ductile, and therefore bends fairly easily
Uses: nuts, bolts, screws, tubes etc.

Methods of Identification

Appearance: Bright drawn mild steel has a smooth, bright surface;

black mild steel is covered with a blue-grey oxide
Dropping: Gives out a ringing note
Grinding: Gives off a shower of long white sparks
Effect of Heating: Slightly tougher but little change
 FERROUS-METALS
2. Tool Steel / cast steel / carbon steel
Composition: Iron alloy with 0.5%-1.5% carbon
Properties: Tough rather than hard, and fairly ductile
Uses: Springs and most tools such as hammer heads, drills, chisels,
shears etc

Methods of Identification

Appearance: Has a smooth skin of black oxide

Dropping: Gives out a high ringing note
Grinding: Moderate number of red sparks
Effect of Heating: Becomes hard and brittle
 FERROUS-METALS
3. cast iron

Composition: Iron alloy with 2%-4% carbon

Properties: Brittle, snaps before it will bend. Strong in compression
Uses: Vices, cylinder blocks for car engines, frames for most machines

Methods of Identification

Appearance: Grey with a granular surface

Dropping: gives out a dull note
Grinding: Gives off a few dull sparks
Effect of Heating: No change
 ADVANTAGES OF FERROUS METALS
1. High strength to weight ratio
it minimise the substructures cost, which beneficial in poor ground condition.
E.g. The Newark Dyke Rail Bridge – comprises 77 meter long, 11.25 meter wide
bowstring with 820 tonnes of S355 steel.
This bridge use IMD (Interactive Model Technique) – reduced the time required
to assess the dynamic response of the structure.
This bridge was the first UK steel bridge to be designed for the next generation of
225 km/hr trains.
 ADVANTAGES OF FERROUS METALS
2. High quality material
readily available worldwide in various certificate grades.

3. Speed of construction

4. Versatility
steel suits range of construction methods & sequences.

5. Modification & repair

6. Recycling

7. Durability

8. Aesthetics
steel has a broad architectural possibilities.
DISADVANTAGES OF FERROUS METALS
1. Costly waste
2. High cost of final finishing & polishing
3. Environmental issue
 RECAP
• Metal
• Different types of metals – ferrous, non-ferrous, alloy
• Properties of metals
Strength
Elasticity
Plasticity
ductility
tensile strength
malleability
toughness
conductivity
hardness
• Examples of ferrous metals, uses, methods of identification
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Homework