UK Technology Education Centre's
Independent Learning Packages
3. Non-Ferrous Metals and their Properties
Properties of Metals
Malleability - can be hammered and pressed into shape
Ductility - can be drawn into fine wire
Elasticity - regains its shape after being deformed
Hardness - resists being scratched or cut
Brittleness - extremely hard and therefore breaks easily
Conductivity - ability to conduct heat or electricity
Aluminium and its Alloys
Composition: 100% aluminium is an element
Appearance: Blue-white or light grey in colour
Properties: Malleable, ductile, lightweight, and a good conductor.
It casts well but is difficult to solder and weld because oxides form rapidly upon its surface
Uses: Aircraft industry, aluminium foil, cooking utensils, road signs
Copper
Composition: 100% copper is an element
Appearance: Reddish brown in colour
Properties: Extremely ductile and malleable when either hot or cold.
Good conductor of heat and electricity. Solders easily.
Uses: Water pipes, electrical wiring, decorative articles
Brass
Composition: An alloy of copper and zinc.
They are mixed in various quantities but one popular form contains 60% copper and 40% zinc
Appearance: Yellow in colour
Properties: Solders easily and polishes well
Uses: Screws, hinges, water fittings and electrical parts
Zinc
Composition: 100% zinc is an element
Appearance: Blue-white in colour
Properties: Resistant to atmospheric corrosion
Uses: Protective coating on mild steel (galvanising). Used with other metals to form alloys.
Lead
Composition: 100% lead is an element
Appearance: Grey in colour
Properties: Very sofy and very heavy. Resists corrosion by water and acid
Uses: Batteries, roofing and gutters
Tin
Composition: 100% tin is an element
Appearance: Silvery in colour
Properties: Extremely malleable and ductile. resists corrosion
Uses: Coating for mild steel sheets (tinplate), the canning industry
Exercises
Answer the Questions on Metals
The Starting Point
The Pivot Point
