6 Metals and Alloys Free Online FlashCards

What defines a ferrous metal?

Ferrous metals are iron-based; iron is their principal constituent.

What defines a nonferrous metal?

Nonferrous metals and alloys are those in which iron is not the principal constituent.

Why are alloys made?

An alloy combines a metal with one or more other elements to tailor its properties.

What does adding carbon and other elements to iron produce?

Adding carbon and other elements to iron produces steels with a wide range of strength and hardness.

What does chromium contribute to stainless steel?

Chromium helps improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steels.

What are the main elements in brass?

Brass is a copper alloy made mainly from copper and zinc.

Which element is traditionally combined with copper to make bronze?

Bronze is traditionally a copper alloy made with tin.

What are the small crystals in engineering metals called?

Most metals are crystalline, with atoms in repeating arrangements; engineering metals usually contain many small crystals called grains.

What is the BCC phase of iron in steel called?

Ferrite is the body-centered cubic (BCC) phase of iron in steel.

What is the FCC phase of iron in steel called?

Austenite is the face-centered cubic (FCC) phase of iron in steel.

Which two example metals have an FCC crystal structure?

Aluminum and copper are examples of metals with face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structures.

How can heat treatment change steel's properties?

Iron changes crystal structure with temperature, and heat treatment can transform steel's microstructure and alter its strength, hardness, and ductility.