PURPOSE
This chapter contains basic information pertaining to properties and identification of metal and heat-treating procedures used for metals. For more specific information on metal and heat-treating techniques, refer to TM 43-0106.
METAL CLASSIFICATION
All metals may be classified as ferrous or nonferrous. A ferrous metal has iron as its main element. A metal is still considered ferrous even if it contains less than 50 percent iron, as long as it contains more iron than any other one metal. A metal is nonferrous if it contains less iron than any other metal.
Ferrous
Ferrous metals include cast iron, steel, and the various steel alloys, The only difference between iron and steel is the carbon content. Cast iron contains more than 2-percent carbon, while steel contains less than 2 percent. An alloy is a substance composed of two or more elements. Therefore, all steels are an alloy of iron and carbon, but the term "alloy steel" normally refers to a steel that also contains one or more other elements. For example, if the main alloying element is tungsten, the steel is a "tungsten steel" or "tungsten alloy." If there is no alloying material, it is a "carbon steel."
Nonferrous
Nonferrous metals include a great many metals that are used mainly for metal plating or as alloying elements, such as tin, zinc, silver, and gold. However, this chapter will focus only on the metals used in the manufacture of parts, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel, copper, and tin alloys.
GENERAL
The internal reactions of a metal to external forces are known as mechanical properties. The mechanical properties are directly related to each other. A change in one property usually causes a change in one or more additional properties. For example, if the hardness of a metal is increased, the brittleness usually increases and the toughness usually decreases. Following is a brief explanation of the mechanical properties and how they relate to each other.
TENSILE STRENGTH
Tensile strength is the ability of a metal to resist being pulled apart by opposing forces acting in a straight line (Figure 2-1). It is expressed as the number of pounds of force required to pull apart a bar of the material 1 inch wide and 1 inch thick.
SHEAR STRENGTH
Shear strength is the ability of a metal to resist being fractured by opposing forces not acting in a straight line (Figure 2-2). Shear strength can be controlled by varying the hardness of the metal.
OMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
Compressive strength is the ability of a metal to withstand pressures acting on a given plane.
ELASTICITY
Elasticity is the ability of metal to return to its original size and shape after being stretched or pulled out of shape (Figure 2-4).
DUCTILITY
Ductility is the ability of a metal to be drawn or stretched permanently without rupture or fracture (Figure 2-5). Metals that lack ductility will crack or break before bending.
MALLEABILITY
Malleability is the ability of a metal to be hammered, rolled, or pressed into various shapes without rupture or fracture (Figure 2-6).
TOUGHNESS
Toughness is the ability of a metal to resist fracture plus the ability to resist failure after the damage has begun. A tough metal can withstand considerable stress, slowly or suddenly applied, and will deform before failure.
HARDNESS
Hardness is the ability of a metal to resist penetration and wear by another metal or material. It takes a combination of hardness and toughness to withstand heavy pounding. The hardness of a metal limits the ease with which it can be machined, since toughness decreases as hardness increases. The hardness of a metal can usually be controlled by heat treatment.
CORROSION RESISTANCE
Corrosion resistance is the resistance to eating or wearing away by air, moisture, or other agents.
HEAT AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
Heat and electrical conductivity is the ease with which a metal conducts or transfers heat or electricity.
BRITTLENESS
Brittleness is the tendency of a material to fracture or break with little or no deformation, bending, or twisting. Brittleness is usually not a desirable mechanical property. Normally, the harder the metal, the more brittle it is.
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