Metals and Alloys: Types, Processes, and Applications

Acording to Iron Content:

Ferrous: iron or alloys containing iron. Non-ferrous: pure metals not iron or metal.

Acording to Density:

Ultralight: density < 2g/cm3. Light: density 2-5g/cm3. Heavy: density > g/cm3.

Process of Obtaining Metals:

1. Obtaining minerals from mines and pits
2. Separation of mineral into ore and gangue
3. Obtaining pure metal from mineral
4. Final treatment

Mining:

Industrial activity extracting elements, compounds, and minerals of economic interest from earth. Two types of mines: open air and underground.

Siderurgy:

Industry dedicated to obtaining iron. Raw materials: iron ores, limestone, and coke coal. Process: raw materials put into blast furnace, hot air introduced, chemical reaction occurs, waste materials (slag) stay at top, molten iron (pig iron) cooled to become steel.

Electrolysis:

Process mainly used to obtain and/or purify non-ferrous metals. Used to obtain copper.

Ferrous Products:

1. Soft iron
2. Cast iron
3. Steel

Non-Ferrous Metals:

1. Copper
2. Aluminum
3. Tin
4. Zinc
5. Others: lead, titanium, tungsten, nickel

Metalworking:

1. Casting
2. Plastic deformation: rolling, forging, extrusion
3. Machining: drilling, turning, milling

Hand Tools:

• Rulers
• Hammers
• Bench clamp
• Filers
• Screwdrivers
• Saws