Industrial Material

Code: ME-131

Lecture # 12
Engr: Mushtaq A Khokher

Batch 2016-2020
Semester # 1

METALS AND ALLOYS

SYSTEMS
DECEMBER 21, 2016
1
Refractory Metals and
Alloys
4 refractory metals: Molybdenum,
Niobium, Tungsten, and Tantlum.
Called refractory because of their high
melting points.
Discovered about 200 years ago.
Used in steels and superalloys because
they maintain their strength at high
temperatures.
Temperature range of 1100 to 2200 C
(2000 to 4000 F).
Molybdenum (Mo)
A silvery-white metal.
Discovered in the 18th century.
Has high melting point, high modulus of elasticity,
good resistance to thermal shock, and good
electrical and thermal conductivity.
Needs a protective coating because of low
resistance to oxidation at high temperatures.
Used in solid-propellant rockets, jet engines,
honeycomb structures, electronic computers,
heating elements, and dies for die casting.
Principle alloying element for titanium and
zirconium.
Niobium (Nb)
First identified in 1801.
Also known as Columbium.
Has good ductility and formability and has
greater oxidation resistance than other
refractory metals.
Used in rockets and missiles and in
nuclear, chemical, and superconductor
applications.
Processed from ores by reduction and
refinement and from powder by melting
and shaping into ingots.
Tungsten (W)
First identified in 1781.
Most abundant of all refractory metals.
Highest melting point of any metal at 3410 C
(6170 F).
High strength at high temperatures.
Has high density (which makes it brittle at low
temperatures).
Used in hottest part of missiles and rockets,
weldinging electrodes, spark-plug electrodes, and
the wire filament in incadescent bulbs.
Processed from ore concentrates by chemical
decomposition and is then reduced.
Tantalum (Ta)
Characterized by its high melting point
(3000 C, 5425 F), high density, good
ductility and resistance to corrosion.
Used mainly in electrolytic capacitors and
various electrical, electronic and chemical
industries.
Sometimes used in thermal applications
such as in furnaces and acid-resistant heat
exchanges.
Processed from ores by reduction and
refinement and from powder by melting and
shaping into ingots.
Beryllium (Be)
Steel grey in color.
High strength-to-weight ratio.
Used in rocket nozzles, space and missile
structures, aircraft disc brakes, and
precision instruments and mirrors.
Alloy element of copper and nickel.
Toxic. Its dust and fumes should not be
inhaled.
Zirconium (Zr)
Silvery in appearance.
Good strength and ductility at
elevated temperatures.
Good corrosion resistance because of
adherent oxide film.
Used in electronic components and in
nuclear-power reactor applications.
Low neutron absorption.
Low-Melting Alloys

Relatively low melting points.

Consists of lead, zinc, and tin.
Lead (Pb)
High density, resistance to corrosion, softness,
low strength, good ductility and workability.
Alloying it with antimony and tin make it usable in
piping, collapsible tubing, bearing alloys, cable
sheathing, roofing and lead-acid storage
batteries.
Also used for damping sound and vibrations,
radiation shielding against x-rays, ammunition, as
weights, and in the chemical industry.
Poisonous; major efforst are being made to
replace it with other elements.
Source mineral is galena (PbS).
Zinc (Zn)
Bluish-white in color.
4th most utilized metal in industry.
Not developed until 18th century.
Used for galvanizing iron, steel sheet, and wire and as an
alloy base for casting.
Alloyed with aluminum, copper, and magnesium.
Zinc-based alloys are used for making fuel pumps and
grills for automobiles, components for household
appliances, kitchen equipment, various machinery parts
and photoengraving equipment.
Used in superplastic alloys.
Comes from a principle source mineral called zinc sulfide.
Tin (Sn)
Silvery-white, lustrous metal.
Developed in the 15th century.
Used mainly as a protective coating on steel sheets
called tin plating which is used to make tin cans.
Low shear strength.
Unalloyed tin is used as a lining material for water
distillation plants and as a molten layer of metal over
which plate glass is made.
Tin is usually alloyed with copper, antimony, lead,
titanium, and zirconium.
Can be used in journal-bearing materials because of its
low friction coefficient.
Precious Metals

Also known as
Noble Metals
(Gold, Silver, and Platinum)
Gold (Au)
Soft and ductile.
Has good corrosion resistance
and any temperature.
Used in jewelry, coinage,
reflectors, gold leaf for
decorative purposes, dental
work, electroplating, and
electrical contacts and terminals.
Silver (Ag)
Ductile
Highest electrical and thermal
conductivity of any metal.
Used as tableware, jewelry,
coinage, electroplating,
photographic film, electrical
contacts, solders, bearing linings
and food and chemical equipment.
Sterling silver is an allow of silver
and 7.5% copper.
Platinum
Soft, ductile.
Grayish-white metal.
Good corrosion resistance at any
temperature.
Used as electrical contacts, for spark-
plug electrodes, as catalysts for
automobile pollution-control devices, in
filaments, in nozzles as jewelry, and in
dental work.