METAL makes it very brittle and not useful

directly as a material except for limited

PROPERTIES OF METALS applications.
1. MALLEABILITY – ability to deform
under pressure (compressive
stress). Can be hammered and
pressed into shape
2. DUCTILITY – the ability to be
hammered thin or stretched into
wire or rods without breaking.
3. ELASTICITY – ability to resume its I. Ferrous Metals
normal shape after being a. CAST IRON- iron that is
stretched or compressed; melted then poured into
stretchiness; ability to regain its molds.hard, brittle, non-
shape after being deformed. malleable iron-based alloy
(read about modulus of elasticity, containing 2%-4.5%
deflection, Yield carbon and 0.5%-3% silicon
Strength)fracture,elongation =
beyond elastic limit, permanent
deformation will occur.
4. HARDNESS – Resists being
scratched or cut
5. BRITTLENESS –The tendency of
metals and alloys to form cracks
during stress.(Note that many
steels become brittle at low Application: Piping and
temperatures depending on their Fittings, Ornamental
composition and processing. Ironwork, Hardware, Base
[Read about ductile-brittle Metal for Porcelain,
transition temp]. Manhole Cover, Gratings,
6. CONDUCTIVITY–Ability to conduct Circular Stairs
heat or electricity.

TWO TYPES OF METALS

1. FERROUS METAL- contains iron as

primary material (iron, cast iron,
steel, stainless steel, wrought iron)
2. NON-FERROUS METAL – contains
little or no iron (aluminum, bronze,
brass, copper, lead)

IRON - metal extracted mainly from the

iron ore ‘hematite’. It oxidizes readily in
air and water to form Fe2O3 (iron oxide) b. WROUGHT IRON – “worked
iron”; tough, malleable,
readily soft iron that is
easily forged and welded.
Fatigue and corrosion
resistant.
Pig Iron is the intermediate product of
melting iron ore with coke and resin.
Cast into pigs in preparation for
conversion into cast iron, wrought iron or
steel. Pig iron has a very high carbon
content, typically 3.5% - 4.5%, which
Application: Ornamental
Ironwork, Railing, Table,
Chair, Door, Window Grills
Corrosion showing “age”,
CORROSION- Cast and wood-like effect
wrought iron are both
susceptible to corrosion c. GALVANIZED IRON – iron-
when bare surfaces are coated with zinc to
exposed to oxygen in the prevent rust. The process is
presence of moisture. achieved through hot-dip
Unlike other metals that galvanizing.
form a protective Application: metal
oxidative coating, iron Decking, Roofing &
will—given enough time— accessories, Ceiling
rust and flake away Framing, Wall Framing,
entirely. This can be Framing, Tie Wires
challenging for outdoor
environments where
exposure to precipitation
and humidity can be
ongoing.

To prevent rust, iron

products should be
cleaned and coated to
prevent exposure.
[seerust converter] {Turco
brand}

Paint is commonly used to

protect bare metal. d. BLACK IRON- made out of
Powder coatings are black-iron oxide. High
another method and well- Carbon content, Prone to
suited for outdoor rust.
furnishings susceptible to
wear in high-traffic areas.
(Metal Primer – redoxide /
graymetal primer, epoxy
primer)

Powder coatings are highly

durable and won’t fade,
chip, or crack over
e. STEEL – alloys of Iron and
extended periods of time.
Carbon, Carbon content is
no more than 2%. Alloy
elements is composed of
phosphorous, sulfur,
oxygen, nitrogen,
 manganese, silicon,
aluminum, copper, nickel,
etc. Can be wrought,
rolled, case, and welded
but not extruded.
Reinforcing bars and in I-beams
in construction are usually from
low carbon steel. Any
applications that require a high
amount of steel without much
forming or bending are also
suitable for it. An example is a
ship’s hull.

Types of Steel

1. Carbon Steel-unalloyed steel in

which the residual element as
carbon, manganese,
phosphorus, sulfur and silicon are
 Medium carbon steel. Contains
controlled. Any increase in 0.25…0.6% of carbon. Medium
carbon content increase the carbon steel’s applications
strength and hardness, but include ones that need high
reduces its ductility and tensile strength and ductility. They
weldability. find applications in gearing and
shafts, railway wheels and rails,
APPLICATION
steel beams in buildings and
a. Structural Steel bridges etc. Another use is
i. I-beam, W-shape, S- pressure vessels, except if it
shape, Channels, contains cold gases or liquids
Angles, Plates, because of its tendency to cold
b. Reinforcing bars cracking.
i. Schedule 40 (12mm
& below)
ii. Schedule 60 (16mm
& up)
c. Panels
d. Windows
e. Doors, Door Jambs
f. Hardware
g. Alloy Steel

CARBON STEEL AISI CLASSIFICATION

 Low carbon Steel. Up to 0.25% of

carbon in iron give us low carbon
steel. It is used for tubing in  High carbon steel. Steel that
moderate pressure applications. contains more than 0.6% of
 carbon is high carbon steel. This
steel is harder and more brittle
than the previous two. It finds
applications in making chisels
and cutting tools. Great qualities
include hardness and good
resistance to material wear. It
may also be used in presses and
for manufacturing drill bits.
2. Alloy steels
This type of metal contains multiple
elements to enhance various properties.
Metals such as manganese, titanium,
copper, nickel, silicon, and aluminium
may be added in different proportions.
This improves steel’s hardenability,
weldability, corrosion resistance, ductility
and formability. Applications for alloy
steels are electric motors, bearings,
heating elements, springs, gears, and
pipelines.
 Stainless steel: Stainless steel
contains high amounts of
chromium. This is why it has 200
times higher resistance to
corrosion than mild steel. It makes
it the ideal candidate to
manufacture kitchen utensils,
piping, surgical and dental
equipment. Also, as no coating is
necessary, you can have a
metallic look like you want with
the right surface finish.
 Tool steel: Tool steel is used for
making cutting and drilling tools.
Its high hardness makes it an
ideal choice for this application.
It contains molybdenum,
vanadium, cobalt, and tungsten
as constituent metals.
Shock-resisting tool steel in use
Tool steel is a type of metal that also
finds applications in manufacturing rails,
wires, pipes, shafts and valves. Tool steel
is primarily used in the automotive,
shipbuilding, construction, and
packaging sectors.
3 COMMON Stainless Steel Finishing
Options
No. 2B – Matte finish
No. 2B is the mill finish, meaning it has
not been processed further. Matte
finishes are dull in appearance and are
not ideal for aesthetic end uses.
However, they’re a good choice where
appearance is not important or when
further finishing is intended. No. 2B Matte
finishes are the least expensive of the
stainless steel finishing options.
The finish is produced by ‘cold rolling’
stainless steel through special rolls or
dies. The cold rolling produces a
smoother, less pitted surface. Next it is
softened and de-scaled in acid solution.
The steel is given a final pass on polished
rolls to further enhance its smoothness.
Common applications include:
 Chemical plant equipment
 Pharmaceutical equipment
 Paper mill equipment
 Laundry and dry cleaning
 Refrigeration
 Sewage equipment
No. 4 – Brushed finish
The No. 4 Brushed finish can vary with
different suppliers and even from batch
to batch from the same supplier. The
variations arise from differing
manufacturing conditions, such as
wearing of the abrasive belts used in
these finishes. Some level of variation
should be expected when ordering No.
4 Brushed finish. It can be helpful to
request a sample of a few square inches
to ensure the finish achieves the desired
effect.
Brushing the stainless steel produces a
distinctive look with a muted luster and
a pattern of fine parallel lines. It has
strong decorative appeal without being
too reflective, as too much
reflectiveness can be undesirable. For
example, overly reflective stainless steel
accents on a building could be blinding
in bright sunlight. The drawbacks to this
finish include reduced corrosion
resistance, because the grooves of the
finish are susceptible to rust.
The finish is created by sanding the
stainless steel in one direction with a
120-180 grit belt, followed by softening
with a 80-120 grit medium non-woven
belt.
Gateway Arch, St.Louis, U.S, Eero
Saarinen
Common applications include:
 Jewelry and watches
 Home appliances
 Air conditioners
 Water heaters
 Architecture
 Automotive design
The Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri is
the world’s tallest arch and is clad in
brushed stainless steel.
The DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, most
famous for being featured in the Back to
the Future films, is paneled in brushed
stainless steel.
No.8 – Mirror finish
Mirror finishes are highly reflective and
created by polishing the stainless steel.
The polishing process enhances
appearance and consistency, making
cleaning easier. It also masks the after-
effects of welding and hides surface
damage.
No. 8 Mirror finish is created by
mechanically treating the surface with a
series of progressively finer abrasives.
Alternatively a special rolling procedure
is used which can simulate the
appearance of mechanical abrasion.
For this stage, it is essential to remove
deep scratches as any surface defects
will be very noticeable on the finished
product. The final process involves
buffing the surface for 5-10 minutes to
create a mirror-like, highly reflective
finish.
A benefit of No. 8 Mirror finishing is that it
improves corrosion resistance. The
polishing eradicates crevices where
corrosive particles can lodge
themselves.
Common applications include:
 Mirrors
 Ornamental trim
 Clean rooms
 Column covers
 Wall panels
 Reflectors
II. NON FERROUS METALS
Aluminum
Aluminum derives primarily from its ore
bauxite. It is light, strong, and functional.
It is the most widespread metal on Earth
and its use has permeated applications
everywhere. This is because of its
properties such as durability, light
weight, corrosion resistance, electrical
conductivity and ability to form alloys
with most metals. It also doesn’t
magnetise and is easy to machine.
(See anodized, analok, powder coated)
Copper
When talking about different types of
metals, copper and its alloyscan not be
overlooked. It has a long history
because it is easy to form. Even today, it
is an important metal in the industry. It
does not occur in nature in its pure form.
Thus, smelting and extracting from ore is
necessary.
Metals are good conductors and
copper stands out more than the others.
Due to its excellent electrical
conductivity, it finds application in
electrical circuits as a conductor. Its
conductivity is second only to silver. It
has also excellent heat conductivity. This
is why many cooking utensils are from
copper.
Manila Cathedral Dome
Statue of Liberty
The greenish layer which appears on the
surface of Copper if actually the
corrosion of Copper. Copper firsts reacts
with Oxygen to form Copper
Oxide(CuO). Further this Copper Oxide
reacts with Carbon dioxide to form
Copper carbonate(CuCO3).
2Cu + O2 ―> 2CuO
CuO + CO2 ―> CuCO3
Statue of Liberty is an example of
corrosion of Copper. When France
gifted America The Statue of Liberty it
was brown in colour but gradually it
turned green.
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The
amount of each of the metals may vary
depending on the electrical and
mechanical properties sought of the
metal. It also contains trace amounts of
other metallic elements such as
aluminium, lead, and manganese. Brass
is a great candidate for low friction
applications such as locks, bearings,
plumbing, musical instruments, tools and
fittings. It is indispensable in intrinsically
safe applications to prevent sparks and
allow usage in flammable
environments.Less density, magnetizes &
rusts unlike Gold.
Bronze
Bronze is also an alloy of copper. But
instead of zinc, bronze contains tin.
Adding other elements such as
phosphorus, manganese, silicon, and
aluminium may improve its properties
and suitability for a particular
application. Bronze is brittle, hard, and
resists fatigue well. It also has good
electrical and thermal conductivity and
corrosion resistance. Bronze finds
application in the manufacturing of
mirrors and reflectors. It is used for
electrical connectors. Due to its
corrosion resistance, it finds usage in
submerged parts and ship fittings.
Titanium
Titanium is an important engineering
metal due to being strong and
lightweight. It also has high thermal
stability even at temperatures as high as
480 degrees Celsius. Due to these
properties, it finds application in the
aerospace industry. Military equipment
is one use-case for this metal. Since
titanium is also corrosion resistant,
medical applications also use it.
Titanium is also used in the chemical
and sporting goods industry.
Guggenheim, Bilbao Spain, by Frank
Gehry
Zinc
Galvanized steel
Zinc is a widespread metal and finds a
lot of use in the medical and industrial
sector. Its primary use is to galvanize
steel. This protects the steel from
corrosion. Zinc is also used to
manufacture die castings for the
electrical, hardware, and automobile
industry. Since zinc has low
electrochemical potential, its uses
include marine applications to prevent
corrosion of other metals through
cathodic protection. Sacrificial zinc
anodes may protect valves, pipelines,
and tanks.
Lead
Lead is a highly machinable, corrosion
resistant metal. Piping and paint
represent some use-cases. Lead was
used as an anti-knocking agent in
gasoline. Later, it was discovered that
the byproduct of this lead was
responsible for serious health
complications. Lead is still common in
ammunition, car batteries, radiation
protection, lifting weights, cable
sheathing etc.
METAL FINISHES

While there are many types of

metals, below are the five most
common options found in your home
decor and furnishings.

FIVE COMMON METAL FINISHES

Antiqued
This finish makes the metals appear to
have stood the test of time, often by
darkening or tarnishing it.

Brushed
A matte finish that looks as if it has been
smoothed with a paintbrush, leaving
faint brushstroke marks in the metal.

Hammered
It's as simple as it sounds. Metal with a
hammered finish appears to have been
pounded and has many small indents
adding texture to the surface.

Polished
This finish creates a reflective, mirror-like
surface on metals. A polished surface
shows smudges and fingerprints more
readily than other finishes.

Satin
This is similar to brushed metals, however
this type of finish is smoother and
oftentimes without brushstroke marks.
The sheen is between matte and
polished.
Iron
It would not be an exaggeration to refer
to iron as the lifeblood of our civilisation.
Approximately 5 per cent of the Earth’s
crust is iron. Thus, it is an incredibly easy
metal to find. Pure iron is an unstable
element though. At the first opportunity,
it reacts with the oxygen in the air to
form iron oxide.
Extracting iron from its ores uses a blast
furnace. Pig iron is achieved from the
first stage of the blast furnace which
can be further refined to obtain pure
iron. This iron often ends up in steels and
other alloys. Almost 90 per cent of
manufactured metals are ferrous
metals.
Steel, for instance, is a ferrous metal that
finds a variety of applications. We
cannot comprehend the true potential
of iron without learning about steel.
Steel
Pure iron is stronger than other metals
but it leaves much to be desired. For
one, pure iron is not resistant to
corrosion. To keep iron from corroding, a
lot of money and energy must be spent.
Secondly, it is also extremely heavy due
to its high density. These disadvantages
can make structures harder to build and
maintain.
Adding carbon to iron alleviates these
weaknesses to a certain extent. This
mixture of iron and carbon up to
specified limits is known as carbon steel.
Adding carbon to iron makes the iron
much stronger along with imparting
other great characteristics.
Other elements may be added in trace
amounts to incorporate their properties.
Let’s take a look at how to categorise
steel and what it is capable of.
What are the Types of Steel and Their
Uses?
Steel is a popular building material
thanks to its excellent properties. Over
3500 grades of steel are available
today. It has high tensile strength and a
high strength-to-weight ratio. This means
more strength per unit mass of steel. This
allows usage of steel parts and
components that are small in size but still
strong.
Steel is also extremely durable. This
means a steel structure can last longer
and withstand external factors better
than other alternatives. It is also ductile
and can be shaped into required forms
without compromising its properties.
Depending on the iron content, steel is
classified into three categories.
Carbon Steel AISI Classification
Low
carbon steel rebars
 Low carbon Steel. Up to 0.25% of
carbon in iron give us low carbon
steel. It is used for tubing in
moderate pressure applications.
Reinforcing bars and in I-beams
in construction are usually from
low carbon steel. Any
applications that require a high
amount of steel without much
forming or bending are also
suitable for it. An example is a
ship’s hull.
 Medium carbon steel. Contains
0.25…0.6% of carbon. Medium
carbon steel’s applications
include ones that need high
tensile strength and ductility. They
find applications in gearing and
shafts, railway wheels and rails,
 steel beams in buildings and
bridges etc. Another use is
pressure vessels, except if it
contains cold gases or liquids
because of its tendency to cold
cracking.
 High carbon steel. Steel that
contains more than 0.6% of
carbon is high carbon steel. This
steel is harder and more brittle
than the previous two. It finds
applications in making chisels
and cutting tools. Great qualities
include hardness and good
resistance to material wear. It
may also be used in presses and
for manufacturing drill bits.
Although all the above-mentioned
steels are commonly referred to as
carbon steels, they contain other
elements to improve certain properties.
Like chromium for corrosion resistance or
manganese to improve hardenability
and tensile strength.
Alloy steels
This type of metal contains multiple
elements to enhance various properties.
Metals such as manganese, titanium,
copper, nickel, silicon, and aluminium
may be added in different proportions.
This improves steel’s hardenability,
weldability, corrosion resistance, ductility
and formability. Applications for alloy
steels are electric motors, bearings,
heating elements, springs, gears, and
pipelines.
 Stainless steel: Stainless steel
contains high amounts of
chromium. This is why it has 200
times higher resistance to
corrosion than mild steel. It makes
it the ideal candidate to
manufacture kitchen utensils,
piping, surgical and dental
equipment. Also, as no coating is
necessary, you can have a
metallic look like you want with
the right surface finish.
 Tool steel: Tool steel is used for
making cutting and drilling tools.
Its high hardness makes it an
ideal choice for this application.
It contains molybdenum,
vanadium, cobalt, and tungsten
as constituent metals.
Shock-resisting tool steel in use
Tool steel is a type of metal that also
finds applications in manufacturing rails,
wires, pipes, shafts and valves. Tool steel
is primarily used in the automotive,
shipbuilding, construction, and
packaging sectors.
Different Types of Metals
In addition to ferrous metals, we have a
large selection of non-ferrous ones.
Each has certain qualities that make
them useful in different industries.
Aluminum
Aluminum derives primarily from its ore
bauxite. It is light, strong, and functional.
It is the most widespread metal on Earth
and its use has permeated applications
everywhere. This is because of its
properties such as durability, light
weight, corrosion resistance, electrical
conductivity and ability to form alloys
with most metals. It also doesn’t
magnetise and is easy to machine.
Copper
When talking about different types of
metals, copper and its alloyscan not be
overlooked. It has a long history
because it is easy to form. Even today, it
is an important metal in the industry. It
does not occur in nature in its pure form.
Thus, smelting and extracting from ore is
necessary.
Metals are good conductors and
copper stands out more than the others.
Due to its excellent electrical
conductivity, it finds application in
electrical circuits as a conductor. Its
conductivity is second only to silver. It
has also excellent heat conductivity. This
is why many cooking utensils are from
copper.
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The
amount of each of the metals may vary
depending on the electrical and
mechanical properties sought of the
metal. It also contains trace amounts of
other metallic elements such as
aluminium, lead, and manganese. Brass
is a great candidate for low friction
applications such as locks, bearings,
plumbing, musical instruments, tools and
fittings. It is indispensable in intrinsically
safe applications to prevent sparks and
allow usage in flammable environments.
Bronze
Bronze is also an alloy of copper. But
instead of zinc, bronze contains tin.
Adding other elements such as
phosphorus, manganese, silicon, and
aluminium may improve its properties
and suitability for a particular
application. Bronze is brittle, hard, and
resists fatigue well. It also has good
electrical and thermal conductivity and
corrosion resistance. Bronze finds
application in the manufacturing of
mirrors and reflectors. It is used for
electrical connectors. Due to its
corrosion resistance, it finds usage in
submerged parts and ship fittings.
Titanium
Titanium is an important engineering
metal due to being strong and
lightweight. It also has high thermal
stability even at temperatures as high as
480 degrees Celsius. Due to these
properties, it finds application in the
aerospace industry. Military equipment
is one use-case for this metal. Since
titanium is also corrosion resistant,
medical applications also use it.
Titanium is also used in the chemical
and sporting goods industry.
Zinc
Galvanized steel
Zinc is a widespread metal and finds a
lot of use in the medical and industrial
sector. Its primary use is to galvanise
steel. This protects the steel from
corrosion. Zinc is also used to
manufacture die castings for the
electrical, hardware, and automobile
industry. Since zinc has low
electrochemical potential, its uses
include marine applications to prevent
corrosion of other metals through
cathodic protection. Sacrificial zinc
anodes may protect valves, pipelines,
and tanks.
Lead
Lead is a highly machinable, corrosion
resistant metal. Piping and paint
represent some use-cases. Lead was
used as an anti-knocking agent in
gasoline. Later, it was discovered that
the byproduct of this lead was
responsible for serious health
complications. Lead is still common in
ammunition, car batteries, radiation
protection, lifting weights, cable
sheathing etc.