DT GCSE Metals (Section B)

The metal is extracted from the ground. It is then crushed and heated with other materials in a blast furnace. This process separates the metal from the ore. The molten metal is poured into a casting machine. It is cooled and run through rollers, to make blocks.

1. Metal is non-renewable

2. Extraction of metal ore from the ground can scar the landscape

3. The separation of metals from ores uses vast amounts of energy

4. The separation of metals from ores pollutes the atmosphere

5. The manufacture of metals uses vast amounts of energy

6. Pollution of the atmosphere leads to global warming

7. Metals are often disposed of in landfill sites (more metal will need to be extracted)

1. Recycling uses less energy than extracting new metal

2. Materials can be reused for different products

3. Metal ores are a finite resource

By adding other materials

Aluminium, Copper, Silver and Iron

They are expensive and have poor working properties

A metal (parent metal) combined with other substances (alloying agents), resulting in superior properties

Steel- Iron (parent) and Carbon (alloying agent)

Metals that contain iron

Because they contain iron, they can rust if they are exposed to moisture

They are magnetic

By adding either Chromium, Tungsten or Nickel

Mild steel, high-carbon steel, stainless steel and cast iron

Quite strong, cheap, rusts easily, can't be hardened/tempered, ductile and malleable

Car bodies, screws, nuts, bolts, nails, washing machines

Harder than mild steel, can be hardened/tempered, hard to work, rusts, poor tensile strength

Drills, files, chisels, saws

Hard, won't rust, more expensive, resists wear and corrosion, aesthetically pleasing

Medical equipment, sinks, kettles, cutlery

Brittle, compressive strength

Manhole covers, vices, brake discs, heavy machine parts

Iron

Aluminium, brass, copper, lead and duralumin

Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, expensive, not as strong as steel, ductile, difficult to join, good conductor of heat and electricity

Aeroplanes, cans, ladders, drinks cans, kitchen equipment

Quite strong, corrosion-resistant, malleable, ductile, aesthetically pleasing, good conductor of heat and electricity, casts well

Door handles, electrical parts, kitchen equipment, musical instruments

Relatively soft, malleable, ductile, very good conductor of heat and electricity, corrosion-resistant, polishes well

Central heating systems, plumbing, wiring, pipes, PCB's

Pure metal, heavy, soft, ductile, malleable, environmentally unfriendly

Roofing, medical x-ray vests

Almost as strong as mild steel but 30% lighter

Fighter jets, bicycle frames

Annealing, hardening, tempering

A metal is heated to a certain temperature or colour and then allowed to cool slowly

It makes the metal softer, more ductile and less brittle

A metal is heated and then rapidly cooled (usually by quenching in hot water)

It makes the metal harder but brittle

The metal is cleaned and then heated carefully until it reaches a certain colour

It makes the metal tougher

Painting, plastic coating, polishing and lacquering