What Are the Properties of Metal Parts?

The physical and mechanical properties of metal parts determine how well they perform in a fabrication project. These include traits like tensile strength, malleability and corrosion resistance. These characteristics are determined by a combination of the alloy's internal structure and the chemical composition. They can also be affected by metalworking and heat treatment processes.

Alloys are created by combining different types of metals to create materials that have unique traits that can be beneficial for specific applications. Adding different metals to iron, for example, can make it much harder than pure iron. It can also be combined with other metals to create alloys that are highly resistant to corrosion or have a higher melting point than a single pure metal. Brass and bronze are two examples of alloys that have excellent corrosion resistance and ductility.

Metals are very dense, have high melting points and generally conduct electricity and heat very well. Metals are shiny and can be molded into many shapes. They can also be pulled into wires or hammered into thin sheets to form strong, flexible and durable products. They can also be melted or shattered to create a variety of new products.

Non-metals, such as oxygen, hydrogen and carbon, are brittle and have low melting and boiling points. They can be melted or shattered to produce a wide variety of new products, but they are not as sturdy as metals. Metalloids are semi-metals that have characteristics of both metals and non-metals, such as silicon and boron.