METAILS

METAILS

1. Non-ferrous metals

   • Ultra-light metals
     • Magnesium, from: magnesite, dolomite, carnallite, epsomite and olivine
       • Properties
         • Shiny, silvery white: very light, solft and malleable, but not very ductile: reacts very strongly whit oxygen
       • Uses
         • Pryotechnics (fireworks), the aerospace and car industries, and bicycles
   • Light metals
     • Aluminium, from: bauxite
       • Properties
         • Silvery white: highly resistant to corrosion; very soft; low density; high malleaility and ductility; good at conducting electricity and heat
       • Uses
         • High voltage power lines, planes, cars, bicycles, light metalwork, roofing, decoration, kitchen tools and drinks cans
     • Titanium, from: rutile and ilmenite
       • Properties
         • silvery white, shiny: light; very hard and strong
       • Uses
         • The aerospace industry, building structures and medical prostheses (artificial limbs)
   • Heavy metals
     • Copper, from: cuprite, chalcopyrite and malachite
       • Properties
         • Reddish, very shiny; soft; good electrical and thermal conductor; very malleable and ductile; rusts easily+
       • Uses
         • Electrical wiring, telephone lines, pipes, radiators, decoration, architecture, jewellery and handicraft
     • Zinc, from: sphalerite and hemimorphite
       • Properties
         • Bluish grey; fragile; not very hard
       • Uses
         • roofing, plumbing and in the car industry. A layer of zinc is used on other materials to stop corrosion
     • Lead: galena
       • Uses
         • Bateries, protective meaures
       • Properties
         • Silvery grey; soft and malleable; lead fumes are toxic when inhaled
     • Bronze, from: copper and tin
       • Properties
         • Resistant to general wear and corrosion
       • Uses
         • Boat propellers, filters, church bells, sculptures, nuts, bearings and cogs
     • Brass, from: copper and zinc
       • Properties
         • Very resistant to corrosion
       • uses
         • Handicraft, jewellery, plumbing, capacitors and turbines
     • Tin, from; cassiterite
       • Properties
         • Shiny white; very soft and malleable; does not oxidise at room temperature
       • Uses
         • Tin foil and tin plate (a sheet of steel coated on both sides with a thin layer of tin)