| alloy |
A metal consisting of a mix of two or more elements, one of which must be a metal. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. |
| aluminum |
A nonferrous metal that is silvery white in color and lightweight. Aluminum resists corrosion and is a good conductor of electrical and thermal energy. |
| brass |
A nonferrous metal alloy of copper and zinc. Brass has high tensile strength and corrosion resistance but poor weldability. |
| bronze |
A nonferrous alloy of copper and tin. Bronze has high corrosion resistance and is the most weldable copper alloy. |
| cast |
Pouring liquid material into a mold where it cools and solidifies into the shape of the mold cavity. Casting is usually used to create complex shapes or for materials that are difficult to machine. |
| coefficients of thermal expansion |
The degree to which a material changes in size due to an increase in temperature. Refractory metals have a low coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| copper |
A nonferrous metal that is very ductile, thermally and electrically conductive, and corrosion resistant. Copper is often used to make electrical wiring. |
| corrosion resistance |
The ability of a material to resist deterioration and chemical breakdown due to surface exposure in a particular environment. Copper and titanium have high corrosion resistance. |
| creep strength |
The ability of a material to withstand a constant weight or force over an extended period of time. Aluminum tends to have poor creep strength. |
| density |
The mass per unit of volume. Magnesium has a low density and tungsten has a high density. |
| die casting |
A casting process that involes forcing liquid material into a mold at high velocity and pressure. Zinc and aluminum are often used in die casting. |
| ductility |
The measure of a material's ability to be drawn, stretched, or formed without fracturing. Copper and lead are two nonferrous metals with high ductility. |
| electrical conductivity |
The ability of a material to act as a medium for conveying electricity. Copper and aluminum are two nonferrous metals with high electrical conductivity. |
| ferrous metals |
A metal in which iron is the main element. The main groups of ferrous metals are cast iron and steel. |
| galvanized steel |
Steel that has been plated with zinc. Galvanized steels have a higher corrosion resistance than standard steels. |
| lead |
A nonferrous metal that is very soft, ductile, and heavy. Lead is a poor electrical conductor and is often used as a soldering alloy and sound dampener. |
| magnesium |
A nonferrous metal that is extremely lightweight. Magnesium is brittle and has poor wear resistance. |
| modulus of elasticity |
A variable that describes the relationship of stress to strain within a material's elastic region. On a stress-strain graph, the modulus of elasticity depicts a material's tendency for temporary deformation. |
| molybdenum |
A metallic alloying element that increases toughness, strength, and wear resistance. Molybdenum is considered a refractory metal and is often used in ferrous alloys. |
| nickel |
A nonferrous metal that is hard and malleable. Nickel is often alloyed with other metals to improve the base metal's corrosion resistance. |
| nonferrous metals |
A metal that does not contain iron as the main element. Aluminum, copper, and zinc are nonferrous metals. |
| ore |
The impure, natural state of a metal. Extracting an element from its ore is the first step in material processing. |
| oxide coating |
A protective film that develops on the surface of metal when exposed to oxygen. Titanium develops an oxide coating when exposed to air. |
| plain carbon steel |
Steel that contains less than 3% of elements other than iron and carbon. Plain carbon steel is considered the most pure form of steel. |
| plating metal |
A metal that is added as a protective coating for another metal. Zinc is often used to plate steel. |
| refractory metals |
A metal with an extremely high melting point. Tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, and columbium are examples of refractory metals. |
| soldering alloys |
A metal alloy that is melted at relatively low temperatures and used to join metal parts. Lead and tin are used as soldering alloys. |
| strength-to-weight ratio |
The relationship between a material's strength and its weight. Materials that are light but also very strong have a high strength-to-weight ratio. |
| tantalum |
A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is almost completely immune to any acidic substances at temperatures below 150°F (66°C). Tantalum is considered a refractory metal. |
| thermal conductivity |
A physical property that indicates how well heat energy transfers through a material. Materials with low thermal conductivity make good heat insulators. |
| tin |
A nonferrous metal that is very soft. Tin is often used as a plating metal and soldering alloy. |
| titanium |
A nonferrous metal that is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Titanium is often used in the aerospace industry. |
| tungsten |
A dense but brittle gray metal that has the highest melting point of any pure metal. Tungsten is considered a refractory metal and is often used in electrodes. |
| Unified Numbering System |
UNS. A common classification system that is used for both ferrous and nonferrous metals. UNS designations include letters and numbers. |
| wrought |
Bending, hammering or physically forming solid metal into a desired shape. Wrought metals are usually strong and wear resistant. |
| zinc |
A bluish white metal that is corrosion resistant and has a relatively low melting point. Zinc is often used as a coating on steel. |
| zinc |
A nonferrous metal that is corrosion resistant and has a relatively low melting point. Zinc is often used as a plating metal for steel. |