Metals

Metals

1. How metals are obtained?

   • 1. In mines, the useful minerals, or ore, and the useless minerals, or gangue are together and must be separated using different physical projects
   • 2. When the ore is separated from the gangue, the next step is to make metal from the ore. The ore is taken to an ironworks and undergoes complex physical and chemical processes

2. Classifying metals

   • Depending where they are from
   • Ferrous metals: Their main component is iron
     • Pure iron
     • Steel
     • Cast iron
   • Non-ferrous metals: Their main component is not iron
     • Tipes of non-ferrous metal
       • Ultra-light metals
         • Magnesium
       • Light metals
         • Titanium
         • Aluminium
       • Heavy metals
         • Tin
         • Lead
         • Zinc
         • Bronze
         • Brass
         • Copper

3. Properties of metals

   • Good electrical, thermal and acoustic conductors
   • Are ductile and malleable
   • Are tough
   • Can also be used for welding
   • They expand when the temperature rises and contract when it cools
   • Some are magnetic
   • Most of them rust when they come into contact with air and oxygen
   • Can be recycled and reused
   • Some of them, are toxic for the environment