Significance
The evolution of human civilization and societal progress has always been closely tied to the development and use of metal materials. From the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, which followed the Stone Age, the application of metals marked major turning points in history. Today, a vast array of metal materials serves as a fundamental resource for modern technological and industrial advancements, shaping everything from infrastructure to electronics.
Types
Metal materials are generally categorized into three main groups: ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, and specialty metallic materials. Ferrous metals, often referred to as steel-based materials, include pure iron with over 90% iron content, cast iron with 2–4% carbon, carbon steel with less than 2% carbon, and various specialized steels such as structural steel, stainless steel, heat-resistant steel, and superalloys. These materials also encompass alloys of chromium and manganese, which are widely used in industrial applications.
Non-ferrous metals, on the other hand, refer to all metals and their alloys except those containing iron, chromium, or manganese. They are further divided into light metals (like aluminum and magnesium), heavy metals (such as copper and lead), precious metals (including gold and silver), semi-metals (like silicon and boron), rare metals (such as tantalum and niobium), and rare earth metals (used in high-tech industries). Non-ferrous alloys typically exhibit superior strength, hardness, and electrical resistance compared to pure metals, making them ideal for specialized applications.
Specialty metal materials are designed for specific purposes and include structural materials like amorphous metals, quasicrystals, nanocrystalline, and microcrystalline metals, as well as functional alloys with unique properties such as stealth, hydrogen storage, superconductivity, shape memory, wear resistance, and vibration damping. Metal matrix composites are another category that combines the advantages of different materials for enhanced performance.
Properties
Metal materials possess two main types of properties: processability and service performance. Processability refers to how well a material can be shaped during manufacturing, including casting, welding, forging, heat treatment, and machining. Each of these processes requires specific characteristics, and the right choice depends on the intended application.
Service performance, on the other hand, relates to how a metal behaves under actual usage conditions. This includes mechanical properties (such as strength, ductility, hardness, impact toughness, and fatigue resistance), physical properties (like thermal and electrical conductivity), and chemical properties (resistance to corrosion or oxidation). These properties determine the material’s suitability for a particular role and its lifespan under real-world conditions.
For example, platinum is highly ductile and can be drawn into filaments as thin as 1/5,000 mm, while gold can be pressed into sheets just 1/10,000 mm thick. Such differences in properties directly influence the choice of metal for different applications, from jewelry to aerospace engineering.
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