3.2 Metal based materials GapFill

Mild steel, one of the most common metals, is made from iron and various amounts of  carbonzinccoppergold but only in very small amounts, as low as 0.1%, for example. Other alloys exist in the form of  carboncopperbrassaluminium, which is often used for plumbing fittings.

Metals all have different working properties and are therefore suited to a range of applications. A hard, shiny alloy,  stainless steelcast ironhigh speed steelaluminium, is commonly used for medical equipment and is an alloy of carbon steel and  tinchromiumirongold.

A malleable and ductile material, reddish in colour,  coppermild steelbrassstainless steel is used for electrical cables. It is also used a great deal in electronic circuits because it is easily  castturnedlacqueredsoldered at a relatively low temperature.

Pure metals are extracted from different ores. Aluminium is extracted from  bauxitemagnetitecylindritehaematite and is one of the most abundant ores in the Earth’s surface. Ferrous metals contain  silvertinironcarbon which is why they are magnetic. It also makes them  toughbrittlerustductile if left outside in damp conditions or left with the surface untreated.

Ferrous metals can be finished in several ways but the handles of a pair of pliers that are used to cut electrical wires would be best finished by  paintinggalvanisingdip coatingelectroplating. Galvanising is a process whereby metal objects are dipped into molten  zinccopperaluminiumcarbon, which results in a very durable surface finish.