Chemistry of Metals and Alloys

Pure gold is defined as 24-carat gold. Lower carat values indicate that the gold has been alloyed with other metals to increase its strength.

Copper was the first metal to be widely used by humans, marking the beginning of the Copper Age, as it could be found in its native state and was relatively easy to work with.

Aluminium is widely used in domestic appliances due to its light weight, corrosion resistance, and good thermal conductivity.

Wrought iron is the purest form of commercial iron, containing the lowest percentage of carbon (usually less than 0.08%).

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a chelating agent used to treat heavy metal poisoning, including lead, by binding to the metal ions.

Noble metals like platinum, gold, and silver are unreactive and can occur in their native or pure form in the earth's crust.

Iron was not known to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization or other early Bronze Age civilizations, which relied on copper and bronze.

Mercury is commonly referred to as quicksilver because it is a liquid metal at room temperature and has a silvery appearance.

Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting.

Siderophiles exhibit a weak affinity to both oxygen and sulphur. Siderophiles have an affinity for iron and a distinguishing characteristic of siderophiles, is that they exhibit high solubility, in molten iron. Siderophile elements generally have a low reactivity, and exhibit an affinity, to form metallic bonds. As a result, siderophiles are most often found in their native state. Not abundant in the core or mantle, most siderophiles are thought to be richest at the Earth's core. Platinum (Pt) group metals, including Ruthium (Ru), Rhodium (Rd), Palladium (Pd), Osmium (Os) and Iridium (Ir) exhibit a strong siderophile tendency.

All the metlas are hard but not brittle, except zinc, at room temperature.

The metal added to gold to harden it, is copper. It is also used in hot water systems, because it is a good conductor of heat and electricity.

Metals are solids at room temperature, with the exception of mercury and gallium, which are liquids, at room temperature.

It is a white metal and can be hammered out, in to thin sheets. It is used to form metal coatings, to prevent chemical action and corrosion. It is also used to preserve food, panel lighting and soldering.

Its composition is: Re-melted pig iron with small amounts of scrap steel. It is hard, brittle, strong, cheap and self-lubricating. It is used for making, car cylinder blocks, vices, machine tool parts, brake drums, machine handle and gear wheels and plumbing fitments.