1.7 Performance Characteristics of Metals

Question 1

Give the 5 stock forms of metals

Answer 1

Sheet
Plate
Bar
Tube
Structural angular

Question 2

Define non-ferrous and give three examples

Answer 2

A metal that does not contain iron, it’s not magnetic and does not rust

Aluminium
Copper
Zinc
Silver
Gold
Titanium
Tin

Question 3

State three properties/characteristics of aluminium

Answer 3

Lightweight
Corrosion-resistant
Ductile
Malleable
Can be welded
Electrical and thermal conductor

Question 4

State two uses of aluminium

Answer 4

Aircraft bodies
Drink cans
Bike frames
Packaging

Question 5

State three properties/characteristics of copper

Answer 5

Electrical and thermal conductor
Ductile
Malleable
Tough
Corrosion-resistant
Can be soldered and brazed

Question 6

State two uses of copper

Answer 6

Electric wire
Printed electrical circuits
Waterpipes
Hot water tanks

Question 7

State two properties/characteristics of zinc

Answer 7

low melting point
Good corrosion restistant

Question 8

State two uses of zinc

Answer 8

Galvanising steel as a protective coating for dustbins
Buckets
Farm gates
Intricate die casting

Question 9

State three properties/characteristics of sliver

Answer 9

Corrosion-resistant
Malleable
Ductile
Can be soldered

Question 10

State two uses of silver

Answer 10

Cutlery
Jewellery
Used for plating other materials

Question 11

State three properties/characteristics of gold

Answer 11

Corrosion-resistant
Malleable
Ductile
Can be soldered

Question 12

State two uses of gold

Answer 12

Jewellery
Connectors
Electric components
Switch components

Question 13

State three properties/characteristics of titanium

Answer 13

Lightweight
Hard
High melting point
High resistance to corrosion

Question 14

State two uses of titanium

Answer 14

Aircraft and spacecraft
Tooth implants
Golf clubs
Ships hulls

Question 15

State three properties/characteristics of tin

Answer 15

Corrosion-resistant
Malleable
Ductile
Low melting point

Question 16

State two uses of tin

Answer 16

Coating for food cans
Soft solder
It’s rarely used in pure form

Question 17

Define a ferrous metal and give three examples

Answer 17

A metal that contains mostly iron and carbon. Ferrous metals are magnetic and will rust

Low carbon steel
Medium carbon steel
Cast iron

Question 18

State three properties/characteristics of low carbon steel

Answer 18

Malleable
Poor resistance to corrosion
High tensile strength
Ductile
Low melting point

Question 19

State two uses of low carbon steel

Answer 19

Nuts, bolts, screws
Car bodies
Washers

Question 20

State three properties/characteristics of medium carbon steel

Answer 20

Hard
Tough
Less ductile than low carbon steel
Malleable

Question 21

State two uses of medium carbon steel

Answer 21

Garden tools
Springs

Question 22

State three properties/characteristics of cast iron

Answer 22

Brittle core
Hard outer skin
Good under compression

Question 23

State two uses of cast iron

Answer 23

Engine blocks
Disc brakes
Machine parts

Question 24

Define non-ferrous alloys and give three examples

Answer 24

A mixture of two or more metals none of which contain iron

Bronze
Brass
Duralumin
Pewter

Question 25

State three properties/characteristics of bronze

Answer 25

Tough Corrosion-resistant Can be cast 90% copper, 10% tin

Question 26

State two uses of bronze

Answer 26

Coins Statutes Bearings

Question 27

State three properties/characteristics of brass

Answer 27

Corrosion-resistant Electrical and thermal conductor Cast well Ductile 65% copper, 35% zinc

Question 28

State two uses of brass

Answer 28

Boat fittings Ornaments Cast values and taps Door furniture

Question 29

State three properties/characteristics of duralumin

Answer 29

Lightweight Equivalent strength to low carbon steel Becomes hard as worked Ductile Aluminum with 4% copper, 1% magnesium, and manganese

Question 30

State two uses of duralumin

Answer 30

Aircraft parts Vehicle parts

Question 31

State three properties/characteristics of pewter

Answer 31

Malleable Casts well Low melting point 85-99% tin with the remainder consisting of copper and antimony

Question 32

State two uses of pewter

Answer 32

Sports trophies Flasks Decorative items, such as photo frames and candlesticks

Question 33

Define ferrous alloys and give three examples

Answer 33

A mixture of two or more metals, at least one of which contains iron Stainless steel High-speed steel (HSS) Die steel (tool steel)

Question 34

State three properties/characteristics of stainless steel

Answer 34

Corrosion-resistant Hard Tough High melting point 18% chrome, 8% nickel

Question 35

State two uses of stainless steel

Answer 35

Cutlery Kitchenware Sinks

Question 36

State two uses of high speed steel (HSS)

Answer 36

Drill bits Tool blades Milling cutters Routing bits

Question 37

State three properties/characteristics of high speed steel (HSS)

Answer 37

Hard Tough High level of resistance to friction heat 18% tungsten, 4% chromium, 1% vanadium, 0.5-0.8% carbon

Question 38

State two properties/characteristics of die steel (tool steel)

Answer 38

Hard Tough

Question 39

State two uses of die steel (tool steel)

Answer 39

Fine press tools Blanking punches and dies Extruder dies