FERROUS METALS

These are metals which contain iron. They may have small amounts of other metals or other
elements added to give the required properties. They are magnetic and give little resistance to
corrosion and can melt at very high temperatures. They are good conductors of heat and
electricity.

Ferrous Metals Chooser Chart

Name Composition Properties Uses

Mild Steel 0.15 Tough, high tensile girders, Plates, nuts and
to0.30% strength, ductile. bolts, general purpose.
carbon Because of low
carbon content it can
not be hardened and
tempered. It must be
case hardened.

High Speed medium Can be hardened and Cutting tools for lathes.
Steel carbon, tempered. Can be
tungsten, brittle. Retains
chromium hardness at high
and temperatures.
vanadium.

Stainless Steel 18% Corrosion resistant Kitchen draining

chromium, boards. Pipes, cutlery,
and 8% aircraft.
nickel
added.

Low carbon Very strong and very Gears, shafts, engine

High Tensile steel,, tough. parts.
Steel nickel,and
chromium.

0.70% to The hardest of the Chisels, hammers,

High Carbon 1.40% carbon steels. Less drills, files, lathe tools,
Steel carbon. ductile, tough and taps and dies.
malleable.

0.30% to Stronger and harder Metal ropes, wire,

Medium Carbon 0.70% than mild steels. Less garden tools, springs.
Steels carbon. ductile, tough and
malleable.
 Remelted Hard, brittle, strong, Heavy crushing
pig iron with cheap, self- machinery. Car cylinder
small lubricating. blocks, vices, machine
Cast Iron amounts of tool parts, brake drums,
scrap steel. Whitecast iron, grey machine handle and
cast iron, malleable gear wheels, plumbing
cast iron. fitments.

NON-FERROUS METALS
These are metals which do not contain any iron. They are not magnetic and are usually more
resistance to corrosion and softer than ferrous metals. They are good conductors of heat and
electricity.

Non-Ferrous Metals Chooser Chart

Name Composition Properties Uses

Aluminium Pure Metal Greyish- Aircraft, boats,

White, window
soft, frames,
malleable, saucepans,
conductive packaging and
to heat and insulation,
electricity, pistons and
It is cranks.
corrosion
resistant.
It can be
welded
but this is
difficult.
Needs
special
processes.

Aluminium +4% Ductile, Aircraft and

Aluminium
Copper+1%Manganese Malleable, vehicle parts.
alloys-
Work
Duraluminium)
Hardens.

Copper Pure metal Red, Electrical wire,

tough, cables and
ductile, conductors,
High water and
electrical central heating
conductor, pipes and
 corrosion cylinders.
resistant, Printed circuit
Can work boards, roofs.
hard or
cold.
Needs
frequent
annealing.

Brass 65% copper +35%zinc. Very Castings,

corrosive, ornaments,
yellow in valves,forgings.
colour,
tarnishes
very
easily.
Harder
than
copper.
Good
electrical
conductor.

Lead Pure metal The Protection

heaviest against X-Ray
common machines.
metal. Paints, roof
Soft, coverings,
malleable, flashings.
bright and
shiny
when new
but
quickly
oxidizes to
a dull
grey.
Resistant
to
corrosion.

Zinc Pure metal A layer of Makes brass.

oxide Coating for
protects it steel
from galvanized
corrosion, corrugated iron
bluish- roofing, tanks,
white, buckets, rust-
proof paints
 easily
worked.

Tin Pure metal White and Tinplate,

soft, making bronze.
corrosion
resistant.

85% copper+15% zinc. Corrosion Beaten

resistant, metalwork,
golden jewellery.
Gilding metal
colour,
enamels
well.

PRECIOUS METALS

These metals are called noble gasses which is less reactive. They react in liquid or powder
forms. They do not corrode and rust on exposure to air. They are soft and can be easily molded
into different forms. They are quite expensive due to above properties and are used in jewelery,
coin making.

Gold is soft, ductile and has good corrosion resistance at any temperature. Silver is ductile and
has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal. Platinum is soft, ductile and
good corrosion resistance.

AMORPHOUS METALS

These metals do not have a long-range crystalline structure. They obtained by rapid
solidification of a molten alloy. They have excellent corrosion resistance, good soft
magnetization (easily magnetized), and hardness with good ductility.

METAL FOAM

These metals can be produced by blowing air into molten metal, front solidifies into a foam.
Have unique combinations of strength-to-density and stiffness-to-density ratios.