Metals Key Terms

Understand some of the important processes and characteristics of metals

In general, metals are strong and durable, making them ideal for machinery, building, and wiring. They also function as good conductors of heat and electricity, so they are used for wiring as well.

Most metals are not used in their naturally occurring state, but undergo certain processes that make them stronger, more resistant to corrosion, or more flexible. If you are looking to purchase metal goods for anything from jewelry to cars, or from engine parts to girders, knowing the important processes and characteristics of metal can help you make wise choices.

 

Annealing

Annealing is a process that alters metal's strength and hardness by exposing it to heat. The metal is heated to a high temperature and kept at that point, then cooled slowly. Annealing can be used to soften metal or make it more homogeneous so that it is easier to work with or so it can be shaped or embossed.
Try: INI International discusses the purposes of annealing and its history. For an explanation of the various types of annealing, visit eFunda.

Galvanization

Galvanization is coating metal, particularly iron or steel, with zinc. During hot-dip galvanization, iron is dipped into molten zinc. At that temperature, iron and zinc combine, which results in an alloy with an exterior coating of zinc. This alloy is better able to withstand weathering, so it can be used for building.
Try: Suite101.com provides an introduction to the galvanization process. GORD Telecom explains hot-dip galvanization and its purpose.

Alloy

An alloy is composed of two or more metals or a metal and a non-metal that have been mixed by a chemical process. Alloying may be done to make a soft metal stronger. Some precious metals are mixed with less valuable metals to make them less expensive. Gold, for example, keeps its bright color even when it is mixed half and half with another metal.
Try: Apecs Investment Castings Pty. lists reasons why metals are alloyed.

Ferrous metals

Ferrous metals contain iron, which makes them magnetic. They are less likely to corrode than non-ferrous metals, so they are often used in machinery and tools, where resistance to corrosion is important.
Try: Bracebridge Engineering defines ferrous metals, lists them, and gives some of their uses.

Malleability

Malleability refers to a property of metal that makes it easy to compress it into a shape without breaking or cracking. Malleability is often used to describe metal that can be rolled, hammered, or forged into thin sheets.
Try: Engineers Edge describes malleability and provides a diagram.

Tensile strength

Tensile strength is a measurement of the amount of resistance a metal has to a force that is applied to pulling it apart. Thus, the measurement indicates the maximum load the material can bear without snapping or breaking.
Try: All Metals & Forge provides information on tensile strength. Illinois Tool Works explains how metals are tested for tensile strength.

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