Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various general characteristics, use, composition, mechanical properties of a wide variety of non-ferrous metals and their alloys.

Advantages of Non-Ferrous Metals:

Typical advantages of non-ferrous materials over ferrous materials include, high specific strength, low density, high electrical and thermal conductivities, distinct properties thus used for specific purposes, can be formed with ease.
E.g.: Al-alloys, Cu-alloys (brass, bronze), Mg-alloys, Ti-alloys Noble metals (E.g.: Ag, Au, Pt, Pa), Refractory metals (E.g.: Nb, Mo, W and Ta)

Typical Non-Ferrous Metals:

Aluminum: Aluminum is strong, lightweight, electrically- and thermally-conductive, and corrosion resistant. These properties can be enhanced through alloying. It is often anodized to help prevent corrosion. Its electrical conductivity make it an excellent choice for electrical applications such as wiring and conductors. Its strength-to-weight ratio makes it attractive in structural applications as well as cast aluminum engine components, e.g. blocks, heads, and manifolds. Its high reflectivity of infrared and visible radiation makes it desirable in headlights, light fixtures, and many insulation. It is also used as a paint pigment.


Martina Grosty, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Copper: Copper is a natural occurring substance. The fact that it conducts heat and electricity means that it is used for wiring, tubing and pipe work. Copper has been used in various applications for centuries. It generally finds applications requiring high thermal and electrical conductivity. For example, the thermal conductivity of copper is almost ten times greater than ordinary steel. Therefore, it finds use as kitchen products, wiring and electrical applications, piping and tubing, and other such uses. Alloys of copper and zinc are termed brasses. Zinc is added to improve the strength and ductility of the alloy. There are many formulas for brasses which include other alloying elements than copper and zinc. Brass is used in decorative metal products, cartridge cases, piping and tubing, and many of the same application as copper.


RobertKuhlmann, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons


• Brass: A combination of copper and zinc, usually in the proportions of 65% to 35% respectively. Is used for ornamental purposes and within electrical fittings.

• Bronze: Bronze is an alloy of copper and any other metal. As with brasses, there are many formulas for bronzes, depending on the application. Aluminum bronzes, tin bronzes, phosphor bronzes, nickel bronzes, and silicon bronzes are all examples of varying alloys. The principle alloying element determines the nomenclature. Bronzes are used in applications such as bearings, some limited structural applications, decorative uses, and applications which require them not to spark when struck with another metal. This makes them useful in the transport and handling of items such as explosives, fuels, and flammable materials. Bronzes are often used in statues and can be seen to form the familiar green oxidized coating.

• Silver: Mainly a natural substance, but mixing with copper creates sterling silver. Used for decorative impact in jewellery and ornaments, and also to solder different metals together. Silver also finds application in photographic films and papers. At one time, it was used to plate mirrors. It is now used in the manufacture of photochromatic lenses. Photochromatic lenses darken when exposed to ultraviolet light. Silver is also used in brazing alloys and long-life batteries. Silver fulminate is used as an explosive. Silver and silver compounds are found in many creams, ointments, and salves used for medicinal purposes. Silver iodide has been used to seed clouds to make rain.

• White metals include antimony, bismuth, cadmium, lead, tin, and zinc. Of these, lead, tin, and zinc are of primary interest. It is heavy and very soft and is often used in roofing and in batteries. Lead has been used for centuries for plumbing and plumbing-related uses, such as solders, pipe, and fittings. It is easily formed with low heat, corrosion resistant, and ductile. One primary use of lead in the past was as a pigment in lead-based paints. Another prior use for lead was as an octane booster in gasoline as tetraethyl lead. Modern paints and fuels do not contain lead. Lead has been identified as a health hazard and found to be toxic to animals and humans. Lead is used in storage batteries where the battery plates contain high percentages of lead. Due to its high density, it is also used as radiation shielding.

• Tin: Tin is a major component of solders and pewter (Pewter is a malleable metal alloy, traditionally 85–99% tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and sometimes, less commonly today, lead.). It is also used as both an alloying element and plating material. Tin is a major alloy of many copper products. It is used to plate other metals due to its corrosion resistance.

• Zinc: Zinc is commonly used as a plating material for steels. This product is termed galvanized steel. It is the familiar grayish coating seen on products such as nails and sheets. It is also used in die castings (such as die-cast children’s toys, carburetor bodies, and pump housings) and as an alloying element in nonferrous metals. Zinc oxide is used in paints, glass, cements, and medicines.

• Platinum is found in a group of six metals extracted from nickel ores - Iridium, Osmium, Palladium, Rhodium, Ruthenium and Platinum. Of these, platinum has the most widespread application. It is used in corrosion-resistant coatings, as a catalyst for chemical reactions, high-resistance furnace wire, and in catalytic converters. A large percentage of Platinum is used in laboratory equipment, medical instruments, and fine jewelry. Platinum is more expensive per pound than gold.

• Chromium: Chromium is often used in decorative and corrosion-resistant coatings. It is a major alloying element in many steels, especially stainless steels. It is used to provide a tough, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, decorative surface.

• Refractory Metals: These metals have melting temperatures above 2000 \(^\circ\)Celsius. Some of these approach 3500 \(^\circ\)Celsius. They include such metals as iridium, osmium, and ruthenium, in addition to, chromium, columbium, hafnium, molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, tantalum, tungsten, and vanadium. They find application where high temperature stability is required. For example, furnace components, high speed tools, temperature-measuring devices and components, aircraft components and space vehicle shields. These metals also find application in electrical devices such as capacitors and rectifiers.

• Titanium: Titanium is lightweight and strong. It is an important metal for the aerospace industry which requires high strength under extreme conditions. It is also used in the medical field for instruments and artificial joint replacements. Titanium is also used as a pigment in paints

Solved Example: 53-1-01

Aluminum is the best material for making patterns because it is:

A. Light in weight

B. Easy to work

C. Corrosion resistant

D. All of these

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 53-2-01

The major difficulty during welding of Aluminum is due to its:

A. High tendency of oxidation

B. High thermal conductivity

C. Low melting point

D. Low density

Correct Answer: B

Solved Example: 53-2-02

Solder is an alloy consisting of:

A. Tin, antimony, copper

B. Tin and copper

C. Tin and lead

D. Lead and zinc

Correct Answer: B

Solved Example: 53-2-03

Brass (alloy of copper and zinc) is an example of:

A. Substitutional solid solution

B. Interstitial solid solution

C. Inter metallic compounds

D. All of the above

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 53-2-04

Brass contains:

A. 70% Copper and 30% Zinc

B. 90% Copper and 10% Tin

C. 85-92% Copper and rest Tin with little Lead and Nickel

D. 70-75% Copper and rest Tin

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 53-2-05

Which one of the following metals would work-harden more quickly than the others?

A. Copper

B. Brass

C. Lead

D. Silver

Correct Answer: B

Solved Example: 53-2-06

The usual composition of a soldering alloy is:

A. Tin, Lead and small percentage of Antimony

B. Tin and Lead

C. Tin and Copper

D. None of the above.

Correct Answer: A

Solved Example: 53-2-07

Which of the following is used for bearing liner?

A. Gun metal

B. Bronze

C. Bell metal

D. Babbit metal

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 53-2-08

Bronze contains:

A. 70% Copper and 30% Zinc

B. 90% Copper and 10% Tin

C. 85-92% Copper and rest Tin with little lead and Nickel

D. 70-75% Copper and rest Tin

Correct Answer: B

Solved Example: 53-2-09

Gun metal contains:

A. 70% Copper and 30% Zinc

B. 90% Copper and 10% Tin

C. 85-92% Copper and rest Tin with little Lead and Nickel

D. 70-78% Copper and rest Tin

Correct Answer: C

Solved Example: 53-2-10

Which is false statement about properties of aluminum?

A. Modulus of elasticity is fairly low

B. Wear resistance is very good

C. Creep strength limits its use to fairly low temperatures

D. None of the above.

Correct Answer: B

Solved Example: 53-2-11

Which of the following alloys does not have copper as one of the constituents?

A. Delta metal

B. Monel metal

C. Constantan

D. Nichrome

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 53-2-12

Constantan an alloy used in thermocouples is an alloy of:

A. Copper and Tin

B. Copper and Zinc

C. Copper and Iron

D. Copper and Nickel

Correct Answer: D

Solved Example: 53-2-13

The transistor is made of:

A. Silver

B. Gold

C. Copper

D. Germanium

Correct Answer: D