Lec 6 Metals
Lec 6 Metals
Lec 6 Metals
METALS
Definition
A substance with high electrical conductivity, luster, and malleability, which
readily loses electrons to form positive ions (cations)
Malleability means capable of being shaped
Ductility is the property by which metals can be pulled into wires.
Classification of Metals
All metals for engineering purposes are classified into two categories
1) Ferrous metals
2) Nonferrous metals
Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are divided into pure metals and alloys.
A pure metal is an element - eg iron, copper, gold - unalloyed (not mixed) with
another substance.
An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements (e.g. iron and carbon) to make
another metal with particular properties (e.g. steel).
1) 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.
Common ferrous metals in use include cast iron, wrought iron and different forms
of steel.
Composition, properties and uses of some common ferrous metals