Metal

A metal may be defined as a chemical element that possesses metallic luster.

one of the basic elements in nature.
Metal are good conductors of electricity and heat.
Metals are solid and generally hard
Possesses metallic lustier

Common Metals in the Construction Industry

1. Carbon steel is one alloy that is prized in the construction industry for its hardness and
strength. It is typically used to make beams for structural framework, plates for highway
construction, and rectangular tubing for welded frames trailer beds, and bridges.
2. Aluminium is also commonly used in the industry because it is resistant to corrosion, highly
conductive and ductile. Because it is resistant to harsh weather, the metal is used in windows,
doors, and wire, as well as outdoor signage and street lights.
3. Copper tubing, which comes in two main types, is often used to construct pipes in buildings.
Rigid copper tubing is ideal for hot and cold tap water pipes in buildings. Soft copper, on the
other hand, is frequently used to make refrigerant lines in HVAC systems and heat pumps.
4. Stainless steel is among one of the oldest known building materials. It was used centuries ago to
construct structures that still stand today, thanks to the corrosion and stain resistant properties
of the metal. Some of the most famous architectural structures, such as the Chrysler Building in
New York City, rely on stainless steel for its strength, durability and reliability. Stainless steel is
an alloy of several different metals, the amounts of which can be adjusted to create different
grades of stainless steel with different properties. The most common grade is 301, which is
ductile and easily welded. It can be found in roofing, structural applications, handrails and
balustrading, architectural cladding, as well as in drainage components.

Steel
Steel products one of the most widely used building materials in construction today, mainly because
they are versatile, durable, and affordable.

Building Benefits
 Durability- highest strength-to-weight ratio of any other building material, making it ideal for
buildings both large and small

Consistency- since steel supermarkets must follow national standards in steel production for
various grades, there is no variation from one steel to another

Fire-resistant- it will not burn, and thus will not provide fuel in the event of a fire.
Most low-maintenance materials - doesnt rot, split, crack, warp, twist, or break.
Recyclable - one of the few metals that is continuously recyclable.

Aside from carbon, various other elements are added to give steel different
properties suitable for different applications:
Phosphorus. Improves hardness of steel and makes it more resistant to scratching and
abrasions. Phosphorus, however, weakens steel against shocks and vibrations.
Manganese. Improves the strength, hardness, and soundness of steel. Hardness and
brittleness result if a considerable amount of this metal is added to steel.
Nickel. Increases the strength and toughness of steel. This is added to steel to produce armor
plates.
Vanadium. Increases ductility of steel. It improves tensile strength, increases the electric limit
of steel, and makes steel resistant to shocks. It renders steel nonfatigable. This type of steel is
most suited for making spring, gears, and axles.
Aluminium. Increases soundness of ingots and casting.
Sulfur. Increases the brittleness of steel.
Molybdenum. Render steel hard even at high temperature. It produces the so-called high
speed steel which makes steel suitable for crankshafts, propeller shafts, guns, rifle barrels, and
broiler plates.

Properties of Metals

Hardness. Allows a metal to resist penetration. The harder the metal the less likely it is to
change in shape. Hardness can be increased by hardening or heat treating.
Brittleness. Makes a metal break easily. Certain kinds of cast iron are brittle and break when
dropped. Hardness and brittleness are closely related since hard metals are more brittle than
soft metals.
Malleability. Allows a metal to be hammered or rolled out into thin sheets without breaking
or cracking.
Ductility. Allows a metal to be drawn out into thin wires without breaking. Copper is very
ductile and therefore makes very good wire.
Elasticity. Allows metals to return to its original shape after bending. Steel used in making
springs is a good example.
Fusibility. Allows metals to become liquid easily and join with other metals to form an alloy.
Machinability. Involves several properties. Some of these are the rate at which the material
can be removed in machining, the chip, the amount of tool wear, and the kind of surface finish.