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Here are some common metals, along with their applications, and perhaps a brief explanation.

Please note, most if not all of these 'metals' listed are, in practice an alloy, meaning they are made up of more materials than just the base metal. The alloy variations of a given metal can number in the hundreds, or even thousands (Steel!).

For instance, if i said 'Titanium', a common alloy is Ti64: 90% Titanium, 6% Aluminum, and 4% Vanadium (and <1% of Iron and Oxygen).

-Carbon Steel: Does not resist rusting without coating. Heavy, but very strong depending on manufacturing process. Uses: Tools, machinery, structural (buildings), engines, car/motor parts. The most widely used metal, it is cheap and readily available.

-Stainless Steel: Like regular carbon steel, but added chromium gives a lighter color and resists rusting depending on grade. More expensive and decorative, it is used for applications like flatware, appliances, home decor, machinery, hardware, marine equipment. Higher grades of it can withstand harsh elemental extremes without corroding, doesn't need a protective coating.

-Aluminum: Much less dense than steel. A bit more expensive, its advantage is its high strength - to - weight ratio. Will corrode, but its corrosion is not as volatile as carbon steel. Low melting point makes it good for use in cast parts (aluminum engine block), and it is soft, so it is easy to machine. Applications: Casting, machining, light structural (ladders, machine frames, studs for non-load bearing walls). Alloyed with copper (Al-Cu) is extremely ductile, and can be extruded into electrical wire.

-Copper: Average density, and very ductile (easy to stretch and bend, 'soft'. Prized for its conductivity, most electrical wiring you see is drawn copper wire. can be used to plate metals like steel for corrosion protection, as copper is robust against corrosion.

-Zinc: Cheap, and easy to melt, alloys based on zinc are very common where parts do not need the strength of steel or aluminum. Cast Zinc parts can be a cheap alternative to machined or cast aluminum. Zinc alloys resist an electorlytical reaction when in the presence of another metal, making it a good choice to mate up to a steel or aluminum part.

-Titanium: Very strong, very hard very light, and very expensive, Titanium is everything aluminum wishes it could be. The disadvantage here is that due to Titanium's robust properties, it is difficult to manufacture. Whether you are machining, cutting, grinding, forging, tooling is expensive and can wear out quickly. Used more sparingly than other industrial metals, you only use titanium when performance demands cannot be met by other means - A common application is in aircraft parts (wing substructures, etc).

Titanium is also very inert and resists corrosion very well. It is largely used in the surgical/biomedical industry, as the body does not reject the metal (hypoallergenic), but rather seems to welcome it- I had a screw put into the bone in my foot, and it was made of titanium. It is also used in modern jewelry, as it polishes up nice and light grey.

-Tungsten: My favorite metal, because I am a nerd. This metal is very dense, and extremely hard. Can be added to steel to improve strength. Can also be used as a weight, as it is heavier than steel. It also retains its physical properties at high temperatures, so it is ideal for filament light bulbs- other metals would quickly burn up or become brittle after being cycled on and off a few times. This metal is also very hypoallergenic, and is used in contemporary jewelry applications.

Expertise: BA in Mechanical Engineering

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12y ago

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