Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
I. INTRODUCTION
A non-ferrous metal is any metal, including alloys, that does not contain iron in appreciable
amounts. Non-ferrous metals are easy to be shaped , they can be casted in a variety of forms.
They have good resistance to atmospheric agents. They are usually used as alloys . Non-ferrous
metals are used in building construction :
Roofing
Pipelines
Miscellaneous Hardware
Decorative panels
II. Aluminum
II.1. Presentation and properties
Symbol : Al
Aspect: natural grey metal
Origin : Aluminum is found in oxide : Alumina (Al2O3). With silicon, Aluminum is the most
abundant element in the earth's crust. It is mainly found in clay and bauxite (white , red or grey
lateritic rock ) .
The amount of alumina in clay : 3-5%
The amount of alumina in bauxite : 60%
The Bauxite
It is the lightest between industrial metals.
It is a sustainable material
It has a good resistance to exterior agents (formation of a protective layer of alumina).
It is a ductile material
Good thermal and electrical conductivity
Highly recyclable
Resistance against corrosion.
Easy to be formed and easily workable
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
Aluminum should not be in contact to other metals (formation of a galvanic cell)
especially with copper and zinc. Aluminum can be coated and subjected to surface
treatment : paints ,varnishes and lacquers.
II.2. Mechanical properties.
Longitudinal Modulus of Poisson's
Tensile Strength Compressive
elasticity ratio
σ(Mpa) Strength
E(Mpa) γ
σ(Mpa)
70 à 170*
* : Corresponds to the aluminum used in 71000 0.33
construction 80 à 160
Tension curve :
Influence of alloys on the modulus of elasticity
Mg : Magnesium ; Li : Lithium ; Co : Cobalt ; Si : Silicon ; Be : Beryllium ; Ni : Nickel
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
Influence of the temperature on the modulus of elasticity
II.3. Physical properties.
II.4. Aluminum alloys
Aluminum alloys are used in order to improve the mechanical resistance of aluminum.
In building construction , aluminum alloys are named Duralinox .They contain magnesium
(Mg). The properties of the aluminum alloy depend on the nature of the additional element
and its amount.
Mechanical characteristics (ultimate tensile resistance Rm , Elastic limit Re02 ,
elongation at rupture A% , Hardness HB).
Density
Thermal and electrical conductivity
Corrosion resistance
Good weldability
Machinability
Good formability
Aluminum alloys are classified in seven groups according to the principal alloy .
A 4 digit number is used to define the aluminum alloys. The first digit designate the group.
Aluminum without alloys : 1000
Aluminum + Copper : 2000
Aluminum +manganese : 3000
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
Aluminum +silicon : 4000
Aluminum +magnesium : 5000
Aluminum + magnesium +silicon :6000
Aluminum + zinc + magnesium : 7000
Typical values of the composition and the physical properties of the alloys usually used, are
presented in the table below .
Typical values of the mechanical characteristics and properties of different alloys are
presented in the table below
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
II.5. Usage in BTP
Metal joinery (doors , windows,...)
Metallic construction (pylons for power lines)
Facade and decorative panels
Miscellaneous Hardware
Sub-ceiling
Roofing
Remark : Fresh Lime and cement attack slightly the aluminum : soiled parts should be
cleaned before materials curing .
III. Zinc
III.1. Presentation and manufacturing principle
Zinc is an abundant element that constitute about 0.004 % of the earth's crust. Zinc is found
in blende ( a mineral of granular appearance).
The blende
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
Zinc sulphide Zns is the main form of zinc found in nature . The principle of manufacturing
of zinc is :
– Phase 1 : ZnS + 3/2 O2 ZnO + SO2
Reaction at 900°C
The ZnO (Zinc Oxyde) is used for healing in cosmetics and medical community
SO2 : Sulphuric acid
O2 : dioxygen
– Phase 2 : ZnO + C CO + Zn
Reaction at 1000 °C
Pur zinc Zn
CO : carbon monoxide
III.2. Mechanical properties.
Tensile Strength Longitudinal Modulus of elasticity Poisson's ratio
σ(Mpa) E(Mpa) γ Compressive Strength
σ(Mpa)
120 78000 0.21
120
Remark : Impurities increase the resistance and decrease the elongation at rupture.
III.3. Physical properties.
III.4. Other properties.
Low energy cost : Comparing to other metals manufacturing used in applications for building
envelope , zinc manufacturing from ore requires lower energy.
Good acoustic and hygrothermal performance.
It is a sustainable material ( lifetime is estimated to hundreds of years in moderate aggressive
atmosphere ). It is a recyclable material at 100 % .
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
III.5. Usage in BTP
The main usage of zinc is in the steel galvanizing : the deposition of a thin layer of
zinc on the surface of steel insure its protection against corrosion.
Galvanisation uses up to 47% of the total amount of zinc in the world. Galvanised
steel is used in automobile , construction,…
Brass (alloys of copper and zinc ) and bronze (alloy of copper and tin , to which zinc
is added sometimes ) use up to 19% of zinc.
Zinc alloys such as zamac , for molded pieces (automobile , household equipment,
industrial products,…) use up to 14% of zinc.
Chemical products , 9%
Other applications (Plats and parts for roofing ),11%
Used under the form of laminated sheets: the dimensions and the weight of sheets is
given by the standards A 55-201 and 211 ( thicknesses varying between 0.65 and 0.8 mm).
Roofing : gutters , drainpipes.
Cladding
It is used as a steel protector and in the paint manufacturing.
Roof of zinc Clapping of zinc Pipe of zinc
IV. Copper
IV.1. Presentation and manufacturing principle
As the zinc metal , copper is found in sulfide CuFeS2 (mineral )
It is a red metal that is not easy workable.
It is a costly material but it presents a high resistance to corrosion ( formation of a protective
layer on the surface ). It shows an excellent thermal and electrical conductivity ( the best
conductor of electrecity after silver - As an example , 95% of the electrical wire of the Airbus
are made of copper )
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
Manufacturing :
Phase 1 : Elimination of iron Fe from the sulfide CuFeS2
Phase 2 : extraction of Cu
Cu2S + O2 2Cu + SO2
Anhydrous copper sulphate that becomes blue when it is in contact to water
Resistance to corrosion :
Copper and copper alloys are not attacked by water nor by a big variety of chemical
products : copper pipes , containers ,fittings, roofs.
Machinability and treatment of the surface :
Copper does not present a good ability to be machined. However, some copper alloys
especially brass present high machinability.
Malleability and plasticity
It is an extreme ductile metal. Non alloyed, there no limits to its cold working.
Esthetic :
The gold jewelry contain up to 15% of copper
VI.2. Mechanical properties.
Tensile Strength Longitudinal Modulus of elasticity Poisson's ratio
σ(Mpa) E(Mpa) γ
180 to 400 120000 0.35
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
The graphs below show the variation of the tensile strength and the elongation at rupture of
copper with respect to temperature.
The mechanical characteristics decrease in a regular way.
The elongation shows an abrupt decrease at temperature of 300 to 500 °c and than increases to
values higher than those obtained at the room temperature.
VI.3. Physical properties.
VI.4. Usage in BTP
General use :
Electrical wires
Cables
musical instruments , weighers , glasses , microscopes, etc…
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
Usage in BTP :
30 years ago , copper has been replaced by lead and galvanized steel. It is a possibe
substitution in the case of pipes ( Stainless steel or some plastics) , and in the case of
molded articles (plastics).
It is used in the form of copper sheets for roofing : thin sheets (0.4 mm)
It is used in the form of tiles , cladding , gutters ,…(Roofing)
It is used in the form of tubes for hot and cold water supply or for central heating.
It is used in the form of electrical wires.
Pantheon in Rome : Copper sheets Hagia Sophia in Istanbul : Copper sheets
V. Lead
V.1. Presentation and manufacturing principle
Lead is found in the Lead sulphide ore SPb .
Lead ore is associated to zinc ore in 70% of the mining process :
The amount of lead vary between 3 to 20% of that of zinc.
Lead is a soft metal , very malleable , used in construction for centuries : stone sealing, windows,
roofing, pipelines,…).. It is mainly used due to its resistance to corrosion. It shows a very good
resistance to atmospheric and chemical agents as well as to water.
The lead is used in all chemical industries ( Tank coating , steel pipes…)
Lead sulphide
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
V.2. Mechanical properties.
Modulus of Coulomb's
Tensile Longitudinal Modulus of Poisson's
elasticity in Modulus
Strength elasticity ratio
compression G(MPa)
σ(Mpa) E(Mpa) γ
E(Mpa)
13 17000 42000 5500 0.44
the resistance at rupture (Rr) and the limit of elasticity (Re) of Leas with respect to temperature are
given in the graph below :
V.3. Physical properties.
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Chapter 6 : Non Ferrous Metals
VI.4. Usage
Lead is frequently used in roofing ( formation a protective film of lead carbonate when
contacted to the CO2 from the air ).
It is used in acoustic insulation due to its high density .
Very thin sheets to avoid walls humidity (soft refined lead of 2 to 3 mm).
Pipelines manufacturing.
Lead is an excellent protector against atomic radiations which leads to its usage in radiology (
1mm of lead is equivalent to 10 mm of steel ).
Composite panels are also fabricated :
Cold colamination of lead (0.7 mm) and steel ( 1 mm ).
By fixing lead sheets (2.5 mm ) on wooden chipboards plate ( 25 mm) or plywood
plate .
Cathédral coverage
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