Non-ferrous metals: features and uses. Processing of non-ferrous metals

Non-ferrous metals and their alloys are actively used in industry. Of these, machines, tools, construction materials and materials are manufactured. They find application even in art, for example, for the construction of monuments and sculptures. What are non-ferrous metals? What features do they have? Let's find out.

What are metals like?

At the very beginning of the study, the name "metal" also included minerals and ore, only in the 16th century was it possible to separate the concepts of steel. Metals are simple substances that have certain qualities. The main characteristics are thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, ductility, metallic luster, high ductility and strength at the same time.

In the Mendeleyev table, 94 elements are included. By chemical properties, they are divided into alkaline, transitional, light, lanthanide, actinides, semimetals, etc. Under normal conditions, they are all initially in a solid state.

One of the most popular metals in use is iron. Alloys containing iron are called ferrous metals, in industry they occupy a separate niche of metallurgy. They include alloys such as cast iron and steel. Black metals are sometimes referred to as chromium and manganese. The rest are colored.

Non-ferrous metals

This species is often called "non-ferrous" metals. In comparison with black, they are not so prone to wear, they have high resistance and fire resistance. Non-ferrous metals are more plastic and easy to process. They can form acid-resistant alloys.

They are divided into several groups, depending on their physical properties and prevalence. So, there are heavy and light metals. To the first belong lead, tin, mercury, zinc, to the second - magnesium, beryllium, lithium, aluminum. Titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten are characterized as refractory.

Rare and noble metals also stand out. Rare are tantalum, molybdenum, radium, thorium. They are not very common in the earth's crust, and their processing is difficult. Noble or precious metals absolutely do not rust and have a special shine. They are represented by gold, platinum, silver, ruthenium, osmium, paladium, iridium.

Processing and production

Extraction and processing of non-ferrous metals require more funds than iron processing, since they are much less common. Ores usually contain up to 5% of the useful substance that is used in industry. Immediately after extraction, the ore is enriched, separating it from the waste rock to increase the metal content.

Further, it undergoes various processes for changing sizes, shapes, qualities. Stages and methods of processing depend on the purpose of application. The production of non-ferrous metals can include casting, pressing, forging, welding, etc. To obtain certain qualities, they are mixed with each other. The most famous alloys are duralumin, babbitt, bronze, silumin, brass.

The most popular non-ferrous metals in the industry are aluminum and copper. They are produced by Russia, USA, Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia, countries of Latin America. Most of all copper is extracted by Chile. Guinea leads the world in the production of bauxite, in lead extraction - Austria, tin - Indonesia. The South African Republic ranks first in gold production, silver is mined in Mexico.

Use of metals

Non-ferrous metals and their alloys are universal materials. In everyday life, we deal with them every day. Of these, door handles, pots, teapots, digital and household appliances, furniture, lamps and much more.

They are widely used in construction in the form of various parts and tools. Of them, wire, screws, nuts, screws, nails, make foil, various sizes of plates, tapes, sheets and tubes are made.

Non-ferrous metals are suitable for the manufacture of large-scale equipment, so they are used in the military industry. They are much lighter than iron, so they are used wherever strength and lightness are needed simultaneously, for example for cars, ships, submarines, aircraft.

Copper is used in architecture, in the manufacture of pipelines. For strength, it is added to gold when making jewelry. Lead is added to paints, it is used for cables, for the production of bullets and explosives. Lithium is necessary for the production of alkaline batteries, for optics in radio electronics, for medical preparations.

Features and interesting facts

The most common metal in the earth's crust is aluminum. Among all the open elements, it is the third, yielding to oxygen and silicon. In contrast to it, there is a rare rinium in nature, named after the German Rhine River.

The easiest is lithium. It has a low density, so it floats even in kerosene. Lithium is toxic and causes burns on the skin and irritation. It is stored in special flasks with mineral oil or paraffin.

The most refractory is tungsten. It can melt at temperatures above 3422 degrees Celsius, boil at 5555 degrees. Due to this feature it is used for filament in electric bulbs and kinescopes.