Metals

At ambient temperature, except mercury.

Ability to withstand different types of forces without breaking

Support very well the forces of compression, traction and bending.

Density is the amount of matter per unit volume. The value comes from dividing the body mass has the volume it occupies. Units: kg / m3

They have a very high density

They drive the heat very well

Thermal conductivity: Measure how easily the heat passes through a material. Depends on the material and no of the shape.

Shock resistance without breaking.

Melting temperature: Temperature at which a body passes from the solid state to the liquid state. Titanium (1800ºC) Steel (1500ºC) Tin (231ºC)

High

Measure the intensity of incident light reflection on the surface of a material

Oxidation: This is the reaction of a material with oxygen in the absence of liquids. It is a natural process. It transforms into a metal oxide, which is more stable.

Corrosion: It is the reaction of a metal with its environment (humidity, water ...), but the presence of liquids.

Electrical conductivity: Measures the ability of a material to pass an electric current. It depends on the atomic and molecular structure of the material, and the temperature

Magnetism: Some metals have magnetic properties which are displayed as they are attracted by magnets (ex. Iron)

It is the ability of a material to deform plastically. Under the action of a force can be deformed without breaking, obtaining thread

It is the ability of a material to deform plastically, obtaining thin sheets without breaking.

Especially steel.

Extraction

The fact that metals are to be extracted from mines or quarries, makes it much damage the landscape and the environment.

Metal industry

The furnaces consuming fuel (coal, gas ...) and emit smoke pollutants, although leak.

The electrochemical processes consume a lot of electricity, which is usually generated power pollutants (gas, oil, coal ...)

Rubbish

Particulars

Foil, cans, cartons, bags of potatoes, bottle caps, cars, bicycles, aerosols ...

Industrials

Ships, aircraft, machinery, remnants of industrial processes, drums ...

Alloys whose main element is iron.

Depending of the percentage of carbon have different alloys

0%<C<0.1%

Soft iron

Advantages

Easy to handle


Conducts electricity


Good magnetic properties

Drawbacks

Oxidizes easily

Crack easily

Applications

Electromagnets

Electricity

0.1%<C<2%

Steels

Advantages

Ductile, malleable and tenacious.

It can be easily forged

It can be easily welded

As more carbon is the hardest

Drawbacks

Oxidize easily

Applications

Structures

2%<C<5%

Foundries

Advantages

Harder than steel

Resistant to compression

Drawbacks

Bad welds

Less ductile and malleable

Applications

Radiators

Manhole covers

Pure

Copper

Subtopic

Properties

Red

Excellent conductor of heat and electricity


Good welding


Ductile and malleable


Forming alloys improves their metallic properties but loses conductivity


Very important in plant photosynthesis


Essential for human life

Applications

Conductive materials

Solenoids, motors

integrated circuits

Coins

Sculptures

Pesticides

Tubes

Pond

Subtopic

Properties

Bright bluish-white

Tou

stainless

malleable

ductile

Resistant to corrosion from sea water, distilled tap

Low melting point (231ºC)

Applications

Welding electrical and electronic tubes

Zinc

Subtopic

Properties

Bluish-white

Highly resistant to corrosion



Essential for human life



Moderately hard and fragile



It becomes malleable between 100 and 150 ºC

Applications

Galvanized steel to protect it from corrosion

Batteries for laptops and missiles

Component metallic paints

barriers

tubes

Aluminium

Subtopic

Properties

Bright white

light

Good resistance to corrosion

cheap

Tou

nontoxic

Good electrical and thermal conductivity

Low melting point

Very malleable and ductile

The most abundant on Earth

Easy and cheap to recycle

Applications

Planes, missiles, tanks and ships

Aluminum foil

Containers for food

cartons

Tennis Rackets

bicycles

Windows, doors, radiators

High Voltage Cables

Kitchenware

Magnesium

Subtopic

Properties

Bright white

very light

Expensive

Ductile and malleable

Liquid or was it reacts violently with oxygen

Essential for human life

Applications

Airplanes, rockets

Pyrotechnics and explosives

Refractories for furnaces

Improved grip objects

Titanium

Subtopic

Properties

Dark gray

Very hard

very expensive

Resistant to corrosion from seawater

Very good mechanical resistance

Bio compatible

Applications

Biomedical implants

Engines and rockets and aircraft structures

Reflective paint

Desalination plants

Alloys

Blended with other metals or non-metals, obtained from the fusion of all components.

Brass (copper + zinc)

Subtopic

Properties

Yellow

Very ductile and malleable



Tensile strength of 53 kg / mm2



Zinc reduces the melting point, the electrical and thermal conductivity provided by copper



Zinc improves the mechanical properties provided by copper and facilitates molding

Applications

Radiators, locks, hinges

Decoration, needles, taps

Bells

Musical instrument

Bronze (copper + pond)

Subtopic

Properties

Dark yellow, orange

More traction resistant brass

Corrosion resistant

Very fluid when melted, which makes it very suitable for mold

It is hard and has a low melting point

Applications

Musical instruments

Statues and monuments

Engrenatges taps

Nordic Gold (copper + aluminum + zinc + pond)

Subtopic

Properties

Looks very similar to gold, but not contains it

Applications

Coins of 10, 20 and 50 cents

Cupro-nickel (copper + nickel)

Subtopic

Properties

Highly corrosion resistant

Applications

Hard pieces of ships

Production of coins