METALS
Construction Materials & Testing
Engr. Diana A. De La Cruz
WHAT ARE METALS?
Metals are a group of chemical elements characterized by their shiny
appearance, high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability (ability to be
hammered into thin sheets), ductility (ability to be drawn into wires), and
typically high melting and boiling points. They constitute majority of the
periodic table, occupying the left and middle sections, and are typically found
in solid form at room temperature (with the exception of mercury).
2 MAIN
CLASSIFICATION OF
METALS
1.) FERROUS METALS
Metals that contain iron as their
primary constituent. They are widely
used in construction, machinery,
transportation, and infrastructure due
to their strength and durability.
EXAMPLES OF FERROUS METALS
1. IRON
Strength: Iron is known for its
strength, making it a key material
in construction and manufacturing.
Magnetism: Pure iron exhibits
ferromagnetism, meaning it can
be magnetized when placed in a
magnetic field.
TYPES OF IRON
1.1. Cast Iron
Brittleness: Cast iron contains a higher
carbon content compared to steel, which
makes it more brittle. This property
makes cast iron suitable for applications
where compressive strength are
required.
High Melting Point: making it suitable for
applications involving high temperatures,
such as in foundry molds and engine
components.
TYPES OF IRON
1.2. Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is highly refined iron with slag
deliberately incorporated but not in chemical
union with the iron.
The slag forms one-directional fibers uniformly
distributed throughout the metal.
EXAMPLES OF FERROUS METALS
2. STEEL
Steel is an alloy of iron mixed with a small
amount of carbon (about 0.05%) to make it
harder and stronger. It is less corrosive than
pure iron.
Corrosion Resistance: provide excellent
corrosion resistance, making them suitable
for applications in harsh environments, such
as marine and chemical industries.
Versatility: Steel can be easily fabricated and
manipulated through various processes such
as rolling, forging, and welding, allowing for
a wide range of applications.
TYPES OF STEEL
2.1. Carbon Steel
Smaller products made of low-carbon
steel include nails, wires, pipes, and chain.
High-carbon steel, with its even greater
durability, is often used in cutting tools,
springs, coils, wrenches, hammers, and other
types of tools and equipment used in the
building process.
TYPES OF STEEL
2.2. Alloy Steel
employed in
producing long products
used in the construction
industry such as girders,
structural sections, bars,
rails, rods and wires.
2.) NON-FERROUS
METALS
Metals that do not contain iron as
their primary constituent. They find
applications in electronics, aerospace,
automotive, and jewelry industries,
among others.
EXAMPLES OF NON-FERROUS METALS
1. ALUMINUM
Lightweight: Aluminum is
renowned for its low density,
making it lightweight yet strong.
Corrosion Resistance: This
property makes it suitable for
outdoor applications and in
corrosive environments.
EXAMPLES OF NON-FERROUS METALS
2. COPPER
High Electrical Conductivity:
Copper is one of the best
conductors of electricity among
metals, surpassed only by silver.
Malleability and Ductility: easily
formed into various shapes and
drawn into thin wires without
losing its conductivity.
EXAMPLES OF NON-FERROUS METALS
3. ZINC
Galvanization: Zinc is commonly
used as a protective coating for
steel (galvanized steel) due to its
excellent corrosion resistance. It
forms a sacrificial layer that
prevents the underlying steel
from rusting.
Alloying Agent: Zinc is often used
as an alloying element in brass
(copper-zinc alloy) and other
alloys.
MECHANICAL &
PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
OF METALS
MECHANICAL & PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS
1) Conductivity: Metals are excellent conductors of electricity and heat.
2) Malleability: Metals can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without
breaking.
3) Ductility: Metals can be drawn into thin wires without losing their strength.
4) Luster: Metals have a characteristic shiny appearance or luster due to their
ability to reflect light.
5) Density: This property makes metals heavy and contributes to their
strength and durability.
MECHANICAL & PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS
6) Melting Point and Boiling Point: Metals generally have high melting and
boiling points compared to non-metals.
7) Hardness: Metals exhibit varying degrees of hardness, ranging from soft
and malleable to hard and.
8) Opacity: Most metals are opaque, meaning they do not allow light to pass
through them.
9) Tensile Strength: Metals have high tensile strength, meaning they can
withstand pulling forces without breaking.
10) Thermal Expansion: Metals typically expand when heated and contract
when cooled due to thermal expansion.
CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES
OF METALS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS
1) Reactivity: Metals exhibit a wide range of reactivity, with some being
highly reactive (such as alkali metals) and others being less reactive (such
as noble metals).
2) Oxidation: Metals tend to form positive ions (cations) by losing
electrons to form compounds known as metal oxides. This process is
called oxidation.
3) Corrosion: Many metals are susceptible to corrosion, which is the
gradual degradation of metal surfaces due to chemical reactions with the
environment.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS
4) Acid-Base Reactions: Metals react with acids to form salts and
hydrogen gas. The reactivity of metals with acids varies depending on
factors such as the metal's position in the reactivity series and the
concentration and type of acid used.
5) Alloy Formation: Metals can form alloys by mixing with other metals or
non-metals. Common examples of alloys include steel (iron and carbon),
brass (copper and zinc), and bronze (copper and tin).
PRODUCTION OF
METALS
1. Mining: Extraction of metal ores
from the earth's crust.
Most of the country's metallic
minerals, including gold, iron ore,
lead, zinc, chromite, and copper,
are drawn from major deposits on
the islands of Luzon and
Mindanao.
Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation-
Palawan Province
Berong Nickel Corporation- Palawan
Province
San Roque Metals Incorporated (SRMI)-
Dinagat Islands Province
These companies extract and process nickel
ore for export, contributing to the
Philippines' position as a major global nickel
producer.
2.) Ore Processing: Separating metal-bearing 3.) Smelting: Heating and melting ores to
minerals from impurities. extract pure metals.
4.) Refining: Purifying metals to remove 5.) Alloying: Mixing metals with other
impurities. elements to improve properties.
6.) Shaping and Forming: Casting, forging, or 7.) Finishing: Surface treatments or heat
rolling metals into desired shapes. treatments to enhance properties.
THANK YOU