Did you know that there are over 70 types of metal that industries use today?
While you are most likely familiar with the names of the most common types of metals, you may not understand how they are used. Further, you may not realize that almost all the different types of metal need to be combined with another material to be useful.
Today, we will look at some of the most valuable types and see how they create items we use every day!
Iron: The Most Durable of All Types of Metal
Of all types of metal, iron is, without a doubt, the most manufactured throughout the world and even history. Unfortunately, while pure iron is one of the strongest types of metal, it is also highly corrosive. On top of that, pure iron is unstable and requires lots of work to be usable.
That’s why scientists combine other types of metal to form different alloys. For example, to keep the strength of pure iron but remove its corrosiveness, carbon is added. Adding pure iron and carbon creates steel.
Steel has high tensile durability and a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Because of this, durability steel is one of the best types of metal for construction and mechanical components. It creates small steel components, and parts are still as strong as bigger ones.
Aluminum: A Very Versatile Metal
Engineers and manufacturers use aluminum for cans, kitchen utensils, engraved name badges, and airplane parts, making it one of the most popular types of heavy metals. It has amazing properties like durability, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and even conducts electricity well.
Aluminum is often combined with iron to enhance its properties.
Copper: An Ancient Metal
Of all the different types of metal, copper is perhaps the one that has been used the longest. While copper has great electrical conductivity, it still lacks other properties. Luckily, with copper, you can make two different types of metal alloys: bronze and brass.
Brass is great for low friction purposes such as locks, bearings, plumbing, and tools. It also makes one of the best types of sheet metal, which has numerous applications. On the other hand, bronze has good corrosion resistance, ideal for submerged parts and ship fittings.
Platinum: A Jewelers Metal
Of all the types of precious metals, platinum is the one extensively used for jewelry. In addition, in more recent years, engineers have used platinum for laboratory and dentistry equipment.
Unfortunately, platinum is a rare element in the Earth’s crust, making it more expensive to produce and manufacture.
Civilization Is Built on Metals
As you can see, all types of metal are important for society. Each one provides practical usages and benefits for different areas across the globe. In addition, scientists are discovering newer and stronger alloys every day, so expect more uses as time passes.
Did you find this post informative? If so, be sure to check out our other articles! Without a doubt, you’ll find another one that will pique your interest!
Brass
While shiny, polished brass was out of style for several years, matte, antiqued brass has made its way back into the home decor scene. A mix of copper and zinc alloys, brass can be made in various colors, such as red, yellow, gold, bronze, and brown. However, the most common color is gold. This metal is typically corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial – making it great for knobs and faucets. While it is corrosion-resistant, harsh cleaners can cause cracking. We recommend washing brass with mild soap and water. Solid brass can be expensive – look for brass plating for a budget-friendly price. Brass can be used to brighten a space with cool tones, and it mixes well with wrought iron.
