1. Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
Chapter 6
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys

2. Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
Alloys containing no iron
Usually more expensive than ferrous metals
Have wide range of applications.

3. Aluminum and Al Alloys
Most abundant metallic element in the earth’s crust (8%), second to iron in production.
Nonmagnetic, good corrosion resistance.
High thermal and electrical conductivity.
High strength to weight ratio.
Easy to form (containers and packaging, aircraft and aerospace applications, marine craft, electrical components, etc.).
Commercially pure aluminum ( %).

4. Magnesium and Mg Alloys
Third most abundant metallic element in the earth s crust (2%).
Come from sea water - obtained electrolytically or by thermal reduction.
Lightest engineering metal available.
Good vibration dampening characteristics.

5. Magnesium Alloys (Cont.)
High strength to weight ratio (alloyed with other elements)
Used for aircraft and missile components, material handling equipment, lightweight components.
Oxidizes rapidly (pyrophoric) precautions should be taken when machining, grinding, etc.

6. Copper and Cu Alloys
Best conductor of electricity and heat, good corrosion resistance
Non-magnetic
Used for electrical components, springs, cooking utensils.
Brass and Bronze are the two most common alloys of copper (zinc-Zn and tin-Si).

7. Superalloys
Strong, high corrosion and heat resistance, resistant to fatigue and creep
Used in high temperature applications (jet engines, turbines, nuclear industry).
Nickel (Ni)-based Alloys
most common.
magnetic (used for electromagnetic applications).
Others include Cobalt (Co)-based alloys, Iron (Fe)-based alloys

8. Titanium and Ti Alloys Expensive
High strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistant at high temperatures.
Surface contamination from hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen can cause em-brittlement, reducing toughness, and ductility.
Submarine hulls, marine components, jet-engine components, orthopedic implants

9. Refractory Metals and Alloys
High melting point, maintain strengths at elevated temperatures ( °F).
Molybdenum (Mo)
most plentiful of refractory metals.
Disadv. Low resistance to oxidation above 950 °F
Niobium (Nb)
also Columbium.
Good oxidation resistance

10. Refractory Metals and Alloys Tungsten (cont’d)
Tungsten (W)
Highest melting point of any metal– 6170 °F
Poor resistance to oxidation
Light bulb filaments, spark plugs, welders
Tantalum (Ta)
High melting point °F
Good ductility and resistance to corrosion
Capacitors, furnaces, heat exchangers

11. Other Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
Beryllium
High strength-to-weight ratio
Low neutron absorption
Toxic.
Zirconium
Good strength and ductility at elevated temperatures
Low neutron absorption.

12. Low-melting Alloys Lead (Pb) High density and ductility.
Soft, corrosion resistant.
Toxic.
Used for piping, cable sheathing, radiation shielding.

13. Low-melting Alloys (Cont.)
Zinc (Zn)
Fourth most utilized metal.
Galvanizing.
Is an alloy base for casting.
Tin (Sn)
Soldering materials, containers, protective coatings.

14. Precious Metals
Costly, soft, and ductile, used for electrical contacts and terminals, as well as for jewelry, dental, and decorative purposes.
Gold, Silver, Platinum

15. Shape-memory Alloys
After plastically deformed at room temperature, can return to original shape when heated.
e.g. 55% Ni, 45% Ti.
Thermostats, valves, electrical components

16. Amorphous Alloys
No long-range crystalline structure (no grain boundaries), atoms randomly packed.
Also called Metallic Glasses.
Contain iron, nickel, and chromium (usually alloyed with carbon, phosphorus, boron, aluminum, and silicon).