List of non-ferrous metals: characteristics, application

The development of civilization could not have happened so rapidly if man had not found a way to extract and process various metals. And if at first this was facilitated by successful finds of natural nuggets lying directly on the surface of the soil, then soon the list of non-ferrous metals that people managed to "tame" began to expand significantly. The first experiments and a more detailed study of the properties of new elements demonstrated that all substances have different properties, and their application for the same purposes is impossible. In addition, limited reserves, production difficulties became the factors that made non-ferrous metals more valuable and expensive than black.

What are non-ferrous metals?

Some people believe that non-ferrous metals are exclusively precious gold, silver and platinum, but this view is erroneous. First of all, in the list of non-ferrous metals listed above, one can not write all these metals at all, because they consist in different groups both in terms of properties, methods and methods of extraction, prevalence, and application (except for the purely jewelry industry). Colored metals can be considered all that do not contain in their composition of Fe, that is iron.

In nature, there is a huge amount of such substances, each of which has unique properties and fully justifies their production. Among the most famous: copper, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, nickel, tin, lead, chromium, zirconium and more than one dozen materials that are used in narrow-profile industries. Analogues to find them is not that impossible, but the artificial creation in the conditions of highly scientific laboratories is an overpowering work and dream of scientists from all over the world and in all ages. Suffice it to recall the alchemical works and experiments described both in scientific works of ancient years, and in historical works, literature and a lot of legends that do not have reliable evidence.

Fire, water and copper pipes

So what is the advantage of metals that do not belong to the more common and cheaper iron? Why do they often get mined in very difficult conditions, and a huge number of entrepreneurs of different calibres do not hesitate to collect a scrap of non-ferrous metals? The fact is that these materials have unique physical and chemical properties. Mostly they are characterized by increased softness and plasticity, excellent energy conductivity, and although the metals that people are able to extract are quite large, each of them is used for completely different purposes.

Strictly speaking, not every material can be used in a pure, undiluted form, the list of non-ferrous metals subject to so-called alloying is very large. They mix together, forming new compounds that can be used in space industry, medicine and many other spheres of human life. Sometimes it is sufficient not to make a certain part or element of the device from an expensive and unique non-ferrous metal, but only to make a spraying. The physical and chemical properties of such a subtle coating will be sufficient to achieve the desired goals.

Not everything is gold that glitters

Gold is the metal most famous among the color ones. In this there is nothing surprising, its popularity is so high that for a long time they were paid for goods, it was the basis for a variety of jewelry and by and large became a certain measure of people's well-being. Several decades ago, settlements between countries occurred in the gold equivalent, and now the gold and currency reserves of the budget of any state is an indicator of the level of the economy as a whole and the wealth of the population in particular.

In addition, gold is a rare metal, but easy to handle. Its main advantage is excellent forging, thanks to which jewelers create fine jewelry and products made of yellow material. However, in nature there is little pure gold, and it is very difficult to extract it, in connection with this, various additives are added to it, which somewhat change the color and softness of gold in the final result. The list of non-ferrous metals is diverse, and each additive is used for different purposes, the main materials are:

• copper;

• silver;

• nickel;

• platinum;

• palladium;

• zinc.

Each of these metals changes the original color of the resulting material, which can be with a greenish, pink, white tint. Value also has the strength of mixed metal, because in itself gold is so soft that it can be easily scratched, cut with a knife with the proper force, bite the tooth. All these methods are simple and accessible to everyone, to test the product for authenticity.

In addition to the jewelry industry, gold is used in the chemical industry, electronics, space and aircraft construction, while extracting oil.

Dragmetals

Among the most expensive metals, the above is by no means the most expensive, it is only on the fourth position of the rating. The list of non-ferrous metals at their cost reads as follows (exchange prices per 1 gram):

• Californian - from 500 thousand dollars;

• Osmium-187 - from 200 thousand dollars;

• Rhodium - 225 dollars;

• Platinum - 77 dollars;

• Gold - 30 dollars;

• Osmium - 19 dollars;

• Iridium -16 dollars;

• Ruthenium - 15 dollars;

• Palladium - 14 dollars;

• Silver - 0,6 dollars.

Rarely, which of these chemical elements is used in its pure form, and not everyone uses it to create masterpieces of jewelry art. Often, high-precision production of individual components of complex parts exposed to high or low temperatures, aggressive chemicals, etc. is presumed. The scrap of non-ferrous metals from this group is a highly accurate, complex but profitable occupation that occurs at the state level or through monopolistic organizations. In the military industry, specialized equipment, rockets, where pieces of parts for further processing are collected by bit, are dealt with.

Application

Many may wonder why these materials are so expensive. And having got a gram of precious metal, what can be done with it in practice? The answer is simple: without certain skills and equipment - nothing.

So, palladium is used for coining souvenir and collectible items, which are a means of investing capital. But for more practical purposes it is used to create medical equipment. Ruthenium is useful as one of the elements for water purification, and iridium strengthens alloys for products that will be exposed to incredibly high temperatures.

Many of the non-ferrous metals are used as a means of earning and preserving the capital, participating in market trades as on quite official exchanges, and being one of the means for shadow deals and mutual settlements.

Copper alloys

Copper is one of the most popular materials in the production of electrical wiring, water pipes, in electronics. It is very refractory, conducts heat and electricity well, while not strong enough and poorly castable. To eliminate this drawback, various impurities are added to the pure metal, which make copper itself more durable. The tin that is produced as a result is not subject to corrosion and wear, thanks to such properties the scope of its application is incredibly wide.

Another common additive is zinc, a certain percentage of this metal makes it possible to get brass. In such a composition, the content of the alloying substance is very important, the higher the percentage of the additive content, the harder the metal, but also more prone to corrosive damage.

But the copper-nickel alloy is often used in the manufacture of imitation jewelry, the additive gives a more pleasant color and strength to the products.

Aluminum alloys

Aluminum is one of the leaders among non-ferrous metals. Such popularity is due to the cheap production, ease of processing, the relative ease of metal, the possibility of using recyclables.

As with other metals, various additives are added to pure aluminum during alloying, in addition, the alloys themselves can have different manufacturing techniques, subdivided into those that are hardened for heat treatment, are not strengthened, and there is also a separate, third category that allows the casting of the necessary parts And products.

Rolled non-ferrous metals suggests that the material after the treatment takes the form of rods, wires of different sections and purposes, sheets, pipes, pigs and bushings.