Properties & uses of metals
| Metal | Properties | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Transition metals | Appear in the central block of the periodic table Good conductors of heat and electricity Can be bent or hammered into shape |
Structural materials Things that must allow heat or electricity to pass through them easily |
| Iron | Pig iron from the blast furnace contains about 96% iron The impurities make it brittle so it has limited uses Pig iron is made into cast iron is hard and not easily compressed |
Cast iron: wood-burning stoves, man-hole covers and engines Most iron is converted into steels, alloys of iron & carbon, sometimes with other metals |
| Steel | Steels can be designed to have properties for specific uses: low-carbon steels are easily shaped, high-carbon steels are hard and stainless steels, which contain chromium & nickel, are resistant to corrosion | Low-carbon steel: car bodies Stainless steel: cooking utensils and cutlery |
| Copper | Good conductor of heat & electricity Can be bent but is hard enough to make pipes or tanks Does not react with water |
Electrical wiring Plumbing |