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
be

usually strong & malleable so they can

hammered into shape.

METALS

METALS

METALS

METALS
Ferrous
Alloys
Containing iron &
mixture of
almost all are
magnetic.
small
e.g. mild-steel,
cast-iron, toolsubstance
Steel etc.
Ferrous Alloys
Alloys

Non-Ferrous
Do not contain iron.
e.g. aluminium,
copper, silver, gold,
lid, tin etc.

A
metals, or a
metal &
amount of
other

Non-Ferrous

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.
2.
3.

Costly waste
High cost of final finishing & polishing
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