Metals and their Properties

Ferrous and Non Ferrous Metals

All metals can be categorized as either
Ferrous or Non Ferrous
Ferrous Metals contain iron
Non Ferrous Metals do not contain iron

Examples of Ferrous Metals

Cast Iron
Mild Steel (BDMS)
Stainless Steel
Wrought Iron
Tool Steel
High Speed Steel (HSS)

Examples of Non Ferrous Metals

Copper
Brass
Lead
Zinc
Aluminium
Pewter
Gold

Pure Metals and Alloys

All metals can be categorized as either
a pure metal or an alloy
A pure metal is made of only one type
of metal and appears in the Periodic
Table of Elements
An alloy is a mixture of metals

Examples of Pure Metals

Gold
Copper
Lead
Aluminium
Platinum
Zinc

Examples of Alloys

Brass (copper/zinc)
Bronze (copper/tin)
Stainless Steel (iron/carbon/nickel/chromium/magnesium
Duraluminium (aluminium/copper/manganese)
Phosphor Bronze (copper/tin/phosphorous)
Bell Metal (80% copper/20% tin)
Soft Solder (tin/lead)
Pewter (traditionally 80% tin/20% lead)
Nickel Silver (copper/zinc/nickel)
Naval Brass (63% copper 37% zinc)

Properties of Metals

Tensile Strength
Compressive Strength
Bending Strength
Shear Strength
Torsional Strength
Elasticity
Plasticity
Malleability
Ductility
Hardness
Toughness/Brittleness
Fatigue
Durability

Tensile Strength
Is the ability to resist stretching or
pull forces. It is an essential property
of all cables chains and ropes

Compressive Strength
Is the ability to withstand a pushing
force which tries to crush or shorten

Bending Strength
Is the ability to withstand the forces
that attempt to bend a piece of
material

Shear Strength
Is the ability to resist strong sliding
forces acting opposite to each other

Torsional Strength
Is the ability to withstand twisting
forces under torsion or torque

Elasticity
Is the ability to flex and bend when
subject to loads and forces, and
regain normal shape and size when
these are removed (like an elastic
band).
Most structures need to possess
some degree of elasticity

Plasticity
Is the ability of a material to be
changed permanently in shape, by
external blows or pressure, without
cracking or breaking (e.g. plasticine)
Some materials are more plastic when
heated

Malleability
Is the extent to which a material can
be changed by hammering, pressing or
rolling.

Ductility
The ability to undergo deformation by
bending, twisting but most usually by
stretching into wire

Hardness
Is the ability to resist abrasive wear
and indentation
It is an important property of cutting
tools like files

Toughness/Brittleness
Is the ability to withstand sudden
shock, and the resistance to cracking
when subjected to bending and shear
forces.

Fatigue
Is caused by repeated stress cycles,
bending or tension.
It is found in structures such as
aircraft wings
Fatigue is also affected by corrosion

Durability
Is the ability to withstand wear and
tear, weathering and corrosion