Non-Ferrous Metals: Properties, Types and Applications

Classification of Non-Ferrous Metals

• Heavy: Copper, lead, tin, zinc, nickel, chromium, mercury, tungsten
• Light: Aluminum, titanium
• Ultralight: Magnesium

Copper

Minerals

• Cuprite, chalcopyrite, malachite, and native copper

Obtaining Process

• Wet Method: Electrolytic
• Dry Method: Grinding, separation, roasting, calcination, and reduction

Refinement

• Phase-phase thermal electrolytic

Features

• High electrical conductivity, ductility, and low resistance

Alloys

• Bronze, brass, and aluminum bronzes

Aluminum

Obtaining Process

• Bayer Method: Aluminum-electrolytic refinement

Characteristics

• Laminated, high affinity for oxygen, corrosion-resistant, weldable, and hard

Applications

• Industrial metals to form

Alloys

• Duralumin, aluminum-magnesium, aluminum-silicon, and Alnico

Lead

Obtaining Process

• Roasting, fusion, and refining

Characteristics

• Laminated, affinity for oxygen, and extra-resistant

Applications

• Shielding

Tin

Obtaining Process

• Concentrated, roasting, reduction, and refining

Features

• Crystal structure and laminated

Applications

• Electrolytic coating of metals

Alloys

• Bronzes, white metal, and fuses

Zinc

Obtaining Process

• Dry Method: Roasting, reduction, and refining
• Wet Method

Features

• Fragile, bright, and soft

Applications

• Galvanization

Alloys

• Brass, bronze, and nickel silver (Alpaca)

Nickel

Extraction Process

• Ground, separated, reduction, and refining

Features

• Brilliant, tenacious, hard, malleable, ductile, and corrosion-resistant

Applications

• Industrial use

Classification of Alloys

• High-percentage nickel
• Low-nickel content

Chromium

Obtaining Process

• Roasting and electrolytic refining

Characteristics

• Hard, brittle, brilliant, crystalline structure, and very resistant to oxidation and corrosion

Applications

• Electrolytic coating of metals

Alloys

• Steel-chromium and stainless steels

Tungsten

Obtaining Process

• Melting, precipitation, and reduction

Characteristics

• Hard, heavy, and good electrical conductivity

Applications

• Manufacturing filaments and rapid cutting tools

Alloys

• Tungsten-carbide and magnetized steels

Mercury

Obtaining Process

• Roasting and condensing

Features

• Brilliant and high density

Applications

• Manufacture of thermometers and barometers

Titanium

Extraction Process

• Chlorination, reduction, and melting

Features

• Bright, light, and carries high mechanical strength

Applications

• Construction of the fuselage of airplanes, space rockets, and launchers

Alloys

• Titanium carbide

Magnesium

Obtaining Process

• Heat treatment
• Electrolysis

Features

• Bright, light, soft, malleable, low ductility, and high affinity for oxygen

Alloys

• Ultra-light alloys

Based Composition

• For casting alloys and wrought alloys