Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain the element iron (Fe) and are typically used to improve the properties of iron or steel alloys. The properties and characteristics of these non-ferrous metals vary by type, and each has properties and characteristics that differ from one metal to the next. The diversity of non-ferrous metals’ characteristics and properties can be used purely or in combination with non-ferrous metals and even ferrous metals to obtain new properties that differ from their original properties.
Aluminum Properties
Aluminum is a nonferrous metal that is widely used in industry and in everyday life. Aluminum’s numerous applications are inextricably linked to its numerous advantages.
- Light weight (ρ = 2.7 kg/dm³)
- FCC crystal structure
- High thermal and electrical conductivity
- Non-magnetic
- Not fade
- High strength and malleable
- Easy fabrication
- Formable
- Good corrosion resistance
- Able to reflect light and heat
- Low melting (660° C)
Magnesium Properties
Magnesium is available in cast or wrought form. Magnesium can be used in aircraft components, and 60% is used in fireworks and firecrackers.
- Lightweight (ρ=1.7 gr/cm³)
- Soft
- Low elastic modulus (45 Gpa)
- Very high affinity for O2
- Relatively difficult for cold working
- Casting fabrication or hot working ( 200-300°C)
- Low melting point (651°C)
- The price is relatively expensive
- Mg alloys are relatively unstable and susceptible to corrosion in seawater environments
- In normal atmospheres has good corrosion resistance
Zinc (Zn) Properties
Zinc is the twenty-fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, with five stable isotopes. Sphalerite is the most commonly mined zinc ore (zinc sulfide).
- Density: 7.1 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 419 ºC
- Tensile Strength : 30 N/mm² for casting, 110 N/mm² for compression
- Strain: 1% at room temperature, 25% at 90-160 ºC
- Bluish white (pure), the solution is toxic
- Corrosion resistant to moisture but not to acids, and low salts
- At 100-150º C temperature good for forging, rolling, and withdrawn
- As an alloy to resist corrosion
- To coat the surface of the steel plate with electrolysis
Titanium (Ti) Properties
Titanium is the fourth most abundant metal in the world, after aluminum, iron, and magnesium.
- New and expensive engineering materials
- Density: 4.5 gr/cm³
- High melting point (± 1670°C)
- Modulus of elasticity: 107 GPa
- Excellent fatigue resistance
- Resistant to acids and seawater
- Very reactive/easy to bind with O2 to form TiO2 at high temperatures
- Has 2 unit cells (polytropic): Hexagonal close-packed has α phase and Body center cubic has β phase
Nickel Properties
Nickel is the first element in the periodic table’s tenth column. Nickel is considered a transition metal. In the most abundant isotope, nickel atoms have 28 electrons, 28 protons, and 30 neutrons.
- Density: 8.9 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 1455 °C
- Tensile strength: 400-500 N/mm²
- Strain: 40-50 %
- Cold shrinkage: 2 %
- Silver white
- Corrosion resistant
- The temperature is 365 ºC so it is ferromagnetic
- Good-pressed, welded, and machined
- For protective coatings, steel alloys
Lead (Pb) Properties
Lead (Pb) is a soft metal with a bluish or silvery-gray hue.
- Density: 11.3 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 327 ºC
- Tensile strength: 15-20 N/mm²
- Strain: 30-50% above 100°C brittle
- Bluish ash, soft flowing at 200 bar
- Corrosion-resistant, x-ray protective, radioactive, non-acid resistant, toxic
- Easy to roll and pour
- Protection for steel plate, battery plate, cable, and pipes
- Antinom 5-25% hardened alloy for cable protection
- Lg PbSn9Ca for bearings
White Tin (Sn) Properties
- Density: 7.3 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 232°C
- Tensile strength: 40-50 N/mm²
- Strain: 40%
- Color silvery white to light gray
- Resistant to water and air corrosion but reacts with acids and bases
- Low temperatures can be flour
- Well-poured and rolled into thin sheets
- For handicrafts, steel plate coating, solder
- 12-90% Sn additional for solder, other than lead, bismuth, antinom, cadmium, eg L-Sn 60 Pb
Silver (Ag) Properties
Silver is the second element in the periodic table’s eleventh column. Silver is considered a transition metal. In the most abundant isotope, the silver atom has 47 electrons, 47 protons, and 60 neutrons.
- Density: 10.5 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 961.5 °C
- Tensile strength: 160 N/mm²
- Strain: 20-50 %
- The best conductor of electricity and heat
- Current limiting wires, switches, cutlery, coatings for electrical appliances and brass, reflecting mirrors on photographs & microscopes
- Hard solder adjunct for joining steel, copper, nickel alloys, etc
Gold (Au) Properties
Gold is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Au (Latin: ‘aurum’) and atomic number 79.
- Density: 19.3 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 1064 °C
- Tensile strength: 140 N/mm²
- Strain: 50%
- Soft, reddish-yellow, good cold work
- 100% = 24 carat = 100 per mil
- Usually for jewelry, coins, medals
Platinum (Pt) Properties
Platinum is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Pt and atomic number 78.
- Density: 21.5 gr/cm³
- Melting point: 1769 C
- Tensile strength: 200 N/mm²
- Strain: 50%
- Density for osmium : 22.48 gr/cm³, iridium : 22.5 gr/cm³ the heaviest metal
- Can be 0.0025 mm thick (folie) and 0.015 mm in diameter
- Usually for chemical labs, electrical equipment, thermoelement, jewelry