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 three properties/characteristics of high speed steel (HSS)

Answer 36

• Hard
• Tough
• High level of resistance to friction heat

18% turgsten, 4% chromium, 1% vanadium, 0.5-0.8% carbon

Question 37

State two uses of high speed steel (HSS)

Answer 37

• Drill bits
• Tool blades
• Milling cutters
• Routing bits

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