25 Different Types Of Metals and their Application in daily life

There are many different types of metals in the world, each available in a range of grades depending upon its use. Metals constitute approximately 75% of the elements in the periodic table and are critical to almost every part of our daily lives.

Whether it is iron, steel, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum, titanium, or lead and these materials are used in a huge variety of everyday applications.

While there are some inherent properties common to metals, they are not interchangeable, and are only appropriate for certain tasks.

In choosing a metal some important considerations to keep in mind are: melting point, machinability and weldability, strength, durability, aesthetics, temperature extremes, thermal and electrical conductivity, and of course cost.

The specific properties of any metal are determined by its classification as ferrous or non-ferrous (that is, whether it has iron), and how other elements combine to make an alloy. Understanding these classifications can help to make educated decisions about selecting a material for any use.

In the following, we will discuss some of the different types of metals we typically encounter, and the rationale for our specific selection for different applications.

Classification of metals

In general, we can classify metals by its iron content and structure of the atom; basically

Classification Based on Iron Content

One method often used to categorize materials containing metals is to recognize iron content. Ferrous metals (steel, cast iron, wrought iron, etc.), also included in this category since the iron metals can often magnetic, and normally of what would rust/corrosion.

Non-Ferrous metals, these metals do not have iron, or they would be classified as ferrous metals non-Ferrous metals are non-magnetic, and normally would not have much corrosion. Non-Ferrous metals include zinc, copper, brass, lead and aluminum.

Classification Based on Atomic Structure

In addition, metals can also be categorized according to the structure of their atoms, again as shown in the chart (periodic table), that reflects common uses of metals and groups of metals including alkaline metals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals.

Overall, there is a commonality among groups of metals. For example, metals grouped tend to have similar characteristics for instance, low melting points. Also, even metals grouped will tarnish in air (corrosion).

Categories of metal

From the perspective of iron content, metals are grouped into three categories: ferrous, non-ferrous, and metal alloy.

#1. Ferrous metal

When we think of the most widely utilized metals, ferrous metals will come first on the list because they contain iron. Steel is a special grade of ferrous metal and it accounts for around 90% of all metals produced on the planet. Quite a lot I might add!

Ferrous means iron, derived from the Latin word ferrum. Thus, ferrous metals include those that contain iron such as, cast iron, stainless steel, steel, to many others.

Ferrous metals do share a number of properties. They:

• They Are strong and durable
• Withstand a large amount of tension (so they are good build compnents)
• Conduct electricity
• They Are magnetic
• Can be recycled (which is a positive for today’s Eco-awareness)
• They Are silver and greyish in colour
• Do not withstand rusting unless a treatment is done

These qualities give ferrous metals only blue and purple dye and therefore positive characteristics to the construction industry for example bridges tall buildings and heavy frames. Hence it is more likely than not that ferrous metals are being used on virtually all constructed structures.

In addition, in addition to construction ferrous metals have also been used commonly in automobiles, shipping containers, railroad cars, kitchen appliances and industrial machines ferrous metals have become the backbone of current infrastructure.

At this time it might be worth noting most of the ferrous metals have carbon content, and are unrivaled metal in terms of corrosion/rust efforts. Except for a few cases wrought iron was the purest form and would exhibit some corrosion resistant qualities.

If you want to provide your steel with a natural protection against corrosion, rust in particular, then consider alloying your steel with a corrosion resistant metal. The best known example is alloying steel, either alone, or in combination with another element such as chrome, producing stainless steel.
Alloying has been done for thousands of years and provides a tremendous increase in resistance against corrosion and wear than pure metals, and all sorts of applications from frame structures, skyscrapers, to fasteners such nuts or screws.

It is also worth noting that because of the magnetic properties of most ferrous metals, they have potential uses in a large number of electrical applications, as well as motors.

#2. Non-ferrous metal

Generally, non-ferrous metals have a slightly higher cost than ferrous metals; this is partly due to the fact that they are lighter; but that is only one of the reasons for their value. These metals possess many unique characteristics:

• They are non-magnetic.
• They generally have good workability, whether machining, casting or welding.
• They have good corrosion resistance.
• They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
• They have a reasonably low density.
• They have some colour and often for both practical use and aesthetic appeal.

Non-ferrous metals are quite often derived from minerals like carbonates, silicates, and sulfides, then these metals are defined by an additional processing, usually refining with methods such as electrolysis to purify the metal as well as produce a contaminant-free state that may be as pure as possible.

The most common non-ferrous metals, sometimes referred to as the “base metals” comprise aluminium, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium and zinc.

In addition to these materials are also alloys such as brass and bronze that combine different materials with copper, and rarer classifications of metals that are actually known as precious or special metals, like gold, silver, cobalt, platinum, mercury, tungsten, lithium and zirconium.

Aluminium as well as titanium have started to provide new applications that steel had dominated for a long time, and with wider applications, we see that non-ferrous metals occupy a huge category of areas across industrial, commercial as well as residential uses.

Compared to ferrous metals (derived from iron and steel) it is well known they will be more expensive, and the reasons for this are usually very apparent based on their intended use. For example, gold and silver are used for a variety of reasons, beyond their shiny appearance!

#3. Precious metal

Due to their characteristics, rarity in the crust of the earth, historical currency and value (monetary), beauty, and resistance to the environment (or “the elements”), precious metals are different than other nonferrous metals in a couple ways.

Many, or all, of these metals have been historically valued by cultures throughout thousands of years around the world and in different periods throughout time for their rarity, use, and beauty; these characteristics identify this group, each of which exhibit (more than one) unique characteristic:

• Rarity
• Value
• Chemical Stability
• Workability
• Beauty
• High Melting Point
• Electrical Conductivity

One attribute that is significant when concerning precious metals is scarcity. While precious metals maybe rare in the earth’s crust either separately, they come in extremely small amounts, so even though precious metals are not that rare as gold its immense amount of supply limits its use which as a consequence raises scarcity and therefore value overall. The scarcity of precious metals has always been in favor since humankind can remember their recorded history.

Another unique characteristic is the chemical stability, or degree of corrosion and oxidation resistance. Although maybe some other base metals might tarnish or have stress in corrosive environments precious metals do not lose any color or integrity.

The chemical stability of precious metals has two implications: a sense of longevity and utility, or trustworthiness in their industrial uses, or artistic craft.

Moreover, the malleability and ductility of precious metals provide for great workability. Gold and silver can be made into, formed into, extended, or beat into a pretty thin form, without any cracking or snapping.

This malleability and ductility could make precious metals an ideal option for decorative work, for art, or in batteries and other industrial uses like wire and coatings.

Visual beauty is another feature not to be overlooked. The natural shine, or luster of precious metals has made them valuable for decorative items of all kinds of fine luxury and symbolic artifacts.

Therefore, precious metals beyond visibly performing some kind of function also have some kind of social and emotional significance. Precious metals, from past to present, have been associated with wealth, status or even art.

In conclusion, precious metals are characterized by not one feature, but several features both physical, and social types of characteristics that have lasted for value, in terms of time, industry, and society.

#4. Metal alloys

When you combine a metal with another element, usually a metal, you create a metal alloy. This is where they basically (generally speaking), are first looked for, and we know brass, for example.

Steel is more specific as an alloy. It is the combination of iron (the metal) and carbon (the non-metal–around 2%), and the original iron metal; their combination forms steel. Not only that, but iron and carbon work together to form a completely different matter and properties.

Alloying, itself, improves the original metal, and like above; everything you added also does something: making the base material stronger, resisting corrosion or rain, resisting stress or force, or just being ridiculously tough to break.

And because of these improved properties, every industry is filled with metal alloys. From marine to aircraft in aviation, to planes and construction, to electronics, to items we use every day where it has been made and what does not matter, but once we have employed metal alloys to make reliable and perform, and based on demand from consumers, they became essential.

Different Types of Metals (Examples of Metals)

List of different types of Metals:

#1. Iron.

Iron is fairly plentiful at nearly 5% of the Earth’s crust also is not hard to find, however, it is rare to find it in elemental form because it is a reactive element and will readily react with the oxygen in the atmosphere to produce iron oxide almost immediately.

The traditional method to get useful iron from iron ore is to use a blast furnace. Iron ore is cooked in the blast furnace to produce pig iron, a coarse form of crude iron that can then be refined into pure iron.

Most of the iron that is produced does not remain pure iron very long. It all goes to steel, or other iron alloys, and around 90% of the metals that is produced in the world, is ferrous, which means that iron has an important cultural place in modern industry.

There are three main forms of pure iron: pig iron, cast iron, and wrought iron. Iron, in general, is used a great deal mainly because it is cheap and easy to fabricate.

• Pig Iron: The pig iron is non-use as pig iron is the product of the blast furnace, and is the origin for most of the cast iron, steel and other ferrous metals.
• Cast Iron: Cast iron is produced by melting pig iron with coke and limestone. Cast iron is known for being brittle and should not be welded, but in engineering (and automotive engineering especially), cast iron is great because of the low melting point, excellent castability and machinability and most importantly superior wear and deformation resistance.
• Wrought Iron: Wrought iron is high strength, ductile and has little or no slag. Wrought iron, which is fibrous, is perfect for constructing or forging iron products, like gates, railings and ornamental furniture. However, wrought iron has largely been replaced in modern society depending on use by mild steel… which is produced in less time and with less effort.

#2. Steel.

People generally perceive metals as strong materials to work with, however, consider pure iron, which is one of the weakest metals. Pure iron is also highly corrodible, which is a huge detractor and makes pure iron impractical to use.

It’s also very heavy. It takes a lot of energy to use (and money) and in the long run, pure iron is impractical in terms of corrosion, weight, energy and monetary costs (considering maintenance and longevity).

But, iron can be developed tremendously by adding more carbon, that’s essentially where steel comes from.

Assuming we add enough carbon to have a cast steel (which is iron and carbon), that is much more durable than pure iron, which is why steel is very popular in the construction industry, especially in terms of building frames.

Steel can generally be categorized in to three categories:

1. Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is one of the simplest and most common steels and is basically, as the name suggests, iron and carbon. Depending on how much carbon is has, it is categorized by low, medium and high carbon content.

The higher the carbon content the stronger the steel is and the more it costs. While it does not really compare to the other types of steel, carbon steel is very much praised for its versatility.

2. Alloy Steel

Alloy steel, also known as engineered steel, is a composition of other metals (aside from carbon) that improve the elemental properties.

As stated, alloy steel, contains non-carbon elements to enhance specific properties, additional elements, like manganese, vanadium, nickel, tungsten and chromium, can improve strength, toughness, resistance to corrosion, and heat depending on what you’re looking for in that sense.

An example of this, would be stainless steel, because chromium is an alloy element, stainless steel is technically a type of alloy steel.

3. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, as its name implies, is made to have the greatest levels of resistance to corrosion. Corrosion resistance is based on chromium. In stainless steel, the chromium reacts with oxygen to activate the development of a passive layer on the surface of the steel. In turn, this passive layer protects against rust and corrosion.

Thus, stainless steel is typically employed for cleanliness and resistance applications, medical (or surgical) instruments, utensils (kitchenware), and tools (industrial).

#3. Aluminum.

Aluminum, which comes mostly from bauxite found in a variety of locations worldwide, is essentially a metal that provides notable strength and a very, very low weight similar to magnesium.

Aluminum is versatile, and in addition to having different types of unique characteristics that help make it unique to metals of strength, aluminum also has weight, strength to weight ratio, and other physical characteristics like resistance to corrosion, electrical conductivity (this is the reason for copper, conductivity), and aluminum is good to other portions (including automotive and aerospace engineering).

Like copper, aluminum does not oxidize easily. Aluminum is relatively easy to machine and shape as a subject of manufacturing, which is an admiral characteristic of this metal.

An admiral characteristic of aluminum as well is that it cannot be become magnetized, which makes it generally easier to work with for a variety of different technical applications.

#4. Magnesium.

Magnesium is an interesting metal and a great alternative today than it was ten years ago.

Magnesium weighs approximately two-thirds that of aluminum and has about the same strength as aluminum and therefore is a suitable alternative in situations that are concerned about weight, while having a good performance.

These attributes have resulted in magnesium becoming a very useful metal for numerous different uses and advancements over many years.

For example, in the automotive sector, it is common to see magnesium as a low weight stepping stone to aluminum for the performance and efficiency design specifications.

In instances like high performance vehicles where weight is a factor, it is common to observe wheel rims, engine blocks, and transmission housings using magnesium as a weight savings while significantly improving fuel efficiency and thus speed.

There are some negatives with magnesium. In terms of corrosion potential, it is a little less favorable, and presents a corrosion potential that is less favorable than aluminum for corrosion resistance.

The coating on aluminum, so to speak, offers an improved resistance to corrosion due to a highly valuable oxide that will effectively impede most opportunities for moisture to arrive in significant amounts to aluminum.

Magnesium will corrode in front of that protection especially as an internal element or the designed element is subjected to continuous moist conditions.

The issue of corrosion in magnesium as a design choice introduces a whole different level of work in terms of selecting a magnesium alloy based on successful durability.

#5. Copper.

Copper is one of the metals that should be included in the general discussion of metals and their applications.

Copper has been described as one of the most important metals documented throughout history, and is not limited, at least in part, to the fact that it is one of the easiest metals to manipulate, process, and work with. Copper is, as in the past, one of the most valuable and useful metals.

Apart from gold, copper does not appear in its unprocessed state, and also needs to be processed from (copper) ore, usually by smelting, and be subject to many metallurgical applications.

Although copper is not the only metal that can conduct electricity well, it is more likely the most popular based on its conductivity.

While it would be wrong to suggest that copper is not used or considered the best metal for integrated electrical systems around the globe on the basis of availability, copper continues to be the most preferred metal for the wires of all integrated electrical systems around the world because it is the best conductor of electricity.

It is interesting to note that copper’s only competitor as a conductor of electricity is silver, which coincidentally is a reason why copper cookware is so popular, because copper distributes heat well and evenly.

#6. Brass.

Brass is a metal alloy composed primarily of copper and zinc. Further, the proportions of these materials can be adjusted to acquire desired mechanical or electrical properties.

In addition, up to five to ten percent by weight of other materials, particularly aluminum, lead, and manganese, can be added, to improve certain attributes.

Brass has been established as a standard material in a number of industries for uses where low friction performance is involved.

Brass is used in low friction applications where metal may contact metal, such as bearings, locks, musical instruments, tools, and plumbing. Brass is made for strength and adaptability.

Brass is also a desirable material for use in potentially hazardous areas because it is safe. Safeness with respect to brass being a non-sparking material when struck is the basis as to why brass is a practical choice as hand tools in potentially flammable and explosive areas for equipment and safety tools.

#7. Bronze.

Bronze is another type of copper-based alloy. It is fair to say that bronze is analogous to brass; only, instead of zinc, bronze uses tin to create the alloy.

The additional characteristics of bronze can change depending on its use by including phosphorus, mongensane, silicon, or aluminum.

The addition of these materials can provide strength, toughness, and processibility, in addition to wear resistance.

Bronze has many necessary functions based on its unique characteristics. The available bronze alloys have the combination of high hardness and brittleness and excellent fatigue resistance.

All bronzes perform with conductive properties and some perform betters than others. In addition, bronze alloys have very good resistance to corrosion and are another important feature taken into account with bronze alloys.

Bronze alloys have been around for centuries and hold historical and functional purposes. Coarse grain and fine grain bronze are present in mirrors and reflectors, electric connectors, and marine hardware on submerged/salt water components and fittings which ties back to its corrosion and resistance properties.

Bronze is a distinct material that is easy to recognize and has been the main material for centuries. The Bronze Age is a great example of its importance.

Church bells are often made prime and this is tradition and because, but it serves a distinct and practical purposes only to make sure the piece is still solid when making an impact.

Interestingly, none of the many metals historic metals that add to the break easily versus bend when stressed unlike metal and in addition it adds a deeper resonation.

More practically and current, bronze will still find many uses- makers still create sculptures, fine art, springs, bearings, guitar strings, and brass instruments.

The alloy is historically significant in that it was the first alloy of man-kind, and it reminds us of where our roles began with technology and extend that bronze had two roles creating an alloy.

#8. Zinc.

Zinc is the third most-used non-ferrous metal, behind aluminum and copper. On average, each individual will consume 331 kilograms of zinc in their lifetime. This is quite a bit of use when you consider where zinc is found in our lives!

One of the reasons zinc is so widely used is its very low melting temperature allowing it to be used as filler material in additional processes. In fact, we find zinc castings in our daily life more than we actually recognize. Almost always, zinc is there, doing the work underneath the surfaces of everyday items…door handles, taps, some electronics, etc.

Not only does zinc provide structural materials, but it is useful for its corrosion resistant properties.

Zinc is, in fact, one of the most corrosion resistant metals made and that’s why it is nearly always used as a coating on steel surfaces.

Zinc does the same with alloys and the majority of alloys containing zinc are used all over the globe. Zinc and copper can be alloys as brass… valued for both its appearance and strength.

We find numerous uses of zinc in industrial and commercial applications as zinc is versatile. Zinc has many useful uses. Many of its useful properties let it behave in many different ways.

Zinc, for example, is a material that is easily cast, with its corrosion resistance, a good strength and hardness and reasonable cost in the market. Zinc has a low melting point which allows it to be alloyed readily with other metals.

Zinc also has the potential to be used on health care equipment especially for tools and devices that producers must also consider for elderly care. Even at room temperature, zinc can be regarded as brittle, and is more workable and ductile at the heat of 100 degrees C.

With not only a thermal consideration, zinc in manufacturing and fabrication can also improve the value of the product.

#9. Titanium.

Titanium remains an essential material in the practice of science and engineering; in part, because of is incredible strength-to-weight ratio and in part related to the silvery-white color.

When considering titanium, its value-added properties are extremely valuable when considered together, it is corrosion resistant, has relatively low density and stable at here are high temperature, provided it has a high melting point.

These value-added capabilities lend themselves to titanium alloys being a frequently selected material for application in the aerospace industry for parts for jet engines, missiles, rockets, and various parts in the airframe and air travel devices.

Titanium has also found some use to develop a sport accessories as a manufacturing companies, and we also see uses of the presented alloys in military technology (for example gun parts), and as well in medical technologies.

The ability of titanium, alloys and composites to withstand corrosion is an obvious material choice, for parts of an item or item, that will need to withstand corrosion if at all possible, and to vital performance use a more corrosive-prone material.

The technical benefits offered by titanium are additionally enhanced as result of its metallic luster and enhanced ductility which also affords considerable mechanical strength, inert materials remain true inert materials, titanium has substantial strength even when used an alloy and/or a composite.

To summarize, from an airplane frame to durable-to-wear, high-performance, lightweight prosthetic device, titanium presents itself as the most adaptable material in the use or practice of engineering.

#10. Tungsten.

Tungsten is set apart from pure metals because it has a very high melting point and great tensile strength, so it is classified as one of the strongest metals. Having strength makes it useful to many industrial processes that require a great deal of wear and tear.

Close to half of tungsten used is in the form of tungsten carbide, which is a durable, hard compound. Tungsten carbide is the main form of tungsten, and is used to make cutting tools, abrasives, heavy equipment tools, and mining tools.

Tungsten carbide is so strong that it even can cut titanium and high-graded superalloys (which are things that shaped out at high heat).

The name tungsten is Swedish and translates to “heavy stone” in English, and tungsten is very notable for its density. Tungsten is about 1.7 times denser than lead which is why it is useful for alloys that require heavy density.

Because tungsten is able to withstand extreme heat, it can be alloyed with many other metals and can operate in high-temperature environments that also exhibit thermal stress.

Rocket nozzles are a great example of this because the metals around the nozzle have the need to be as strong as possible in order to withstand the extreme heat without degrading.

#11. Nickel.

Nickel is a very commonly used element as it is typically found with other metals, and it is most commonly found with stainless steel.

Your end product could leverage the great strength characteristics of an alloy and as a result, approximately 70 percent of all nickel that is produced is used in stainless steel. Stainless steel is still the largest single use of nickel to date.

It is notable, nickel is the primary ingredient in the making of a five-cent U.S. coin but in that alloy nickel only comprises about 25 percent. Nickel has been used in the commingling of coinage but is favored in plating or as an alloying agent.

Nickel is commonly used as a coating on gold in laboratory or upon chemistry glassware. Nickel is also used for the finish as it allows for a nice smooth, polished finish on metal.

Interestingly, the word “nickel” is derived from German folklore. Miners believed “Nickel,” an imp, tricked them into leaving behind a metal that appeared to be copper but after reducing it left them with nothing usable. That metal turned out to be nickel.

#12. Cobalt.

Cobalt is a metal that is hard, silver-white, and very lustrous. It is hard and brittle, but is still useful for industrial applications.

One of the common uses of cobalt is alloys. When cobalt is used in an alloy, the benefit will be to add significant hardness. Cobalt is also widely used for making magnets, and can be used in electroplating.

From a physical and chemical standpoint, cobalt will also behave very much like iron and nickel with respect to hardness, tensile strength, and thermal and electrochemical behavior.

In fact, cobalt will maintain its magnetic properties to almost 1150oC before it completely loses its magnetism.

#13. Tin.

Tin is soft and has excellent malleability potential. Therefore, there are many possibilities of applications for tin in metalworking.

Rou ge applications of tin have to do with it’s alloying (metallic) element in bronze, which is about 1/8 tin and 7/8 copper. Also, tin has been utilized in pewter applications, which now could fall anywhere between 85% to 99% tin.

One physical property of tin that I find interesting is what is known as the “tin cry.” If you have ever bent a bar of tin you may have noticed that it has a sound like twanging, or creaking. This is known as the tin cry.

The tin cry is due to a process called twinning (think of twinning as rearrangement or shift in the internal crystal structure of any metal).

#14. Lead.

Lead is commonly characterized as soft, malleable, and heavy, which characterize lead as a workable material. The primary consideration for lead’s physical properties has always been its low melting point. It should also be noted that lead has incredibly beneficial properties in resistant to corrosion, making this material readily available for many projects, such as piping and earlier forms of paint.

Lead was integrated into gasoline in the past as an anti-knocking agent so as to create better functioning vehicles but unfortunately this led to widespread public health crises due to large scale instances of lead poisoning, of which the full extent was not even known until many years later.

Lead was and is used for many other purposes.some example of uses includes: lead in the ammunition industry, lead in car batteries, lead in radiation shielding, lead in counterweights, and lead in cable sheathing in some instances in construction.

From as early as the 1800’s, humans were beginning to understand that lead was highly toxic. Despite this, lead continued to be used in products like paint and bullets well into the 20th century.

The presence of lead in products has had a major role in the reduction and prohibition of use of lead.

That being said, lead has not disappeared into the atmosphere and is in fact still used today. Perhaps the most important use of lead today is still with regard to radiation shielding and lead is still superior, regardless of common substitutes used today.

Lead also has a role with some copper alloys manufactured today as an inclusion of a material that aids in machinability (i.e. precise and tightly tolerance cutting trials).

Finally, the copper-lead combinations will generally only be used in bearing materials, and simply a durable material that simply works.

#15. Silicon.

Silicon belongs to the metalloid classification and is a fascinating element because it possesses both non-metalloid and metalloid behaviors. The metallic luster that silicon displays lends itself to a lustrous, metallic observation, and highlights the duality of silicon as a “metal” so to speak.

Considering the physical properties of silicon, silicon has certain similarities to metals, for instance it is solid at room temperature, has of high melting temperature, and is stiff and hard to shape/bend.

However, silicon does not conduct electricity like metals, which is one reason it does not fit entirely into the designated group for metals.

That being said, silicon is still an important factor in metallurgy. Silicon is often seen as an additive to metal alloys. Another example is silicon added to aluminum. The addition of silicon to aluminum, greatly improves the weldability of aluminum, leading to greater applications for a multitude of products.

#16. Chromium.

Chromium is frequently used to improve the tensile strength properties of metal alloys. Chromium is the second hardest element after diamond and carbon. Chromium’s appeal is not only for its strength, but for its reflectiveness, which is unparalleled amongst metals which making it a major player in enhancing durable metal finishes and appearance.

Chromium has a melting point of around 2000°C. Chromium is important for making superalloys, which are specialty metals for high-temperature applications.

Superalloys have resistance to corrosion at ultra-high and cycling temperatures. These properties are the reason superalloy metals are used where materials are not allowed to de-rate.

#17. Lithium

Lithium is classified as a soft, shiny silvery-white alkali metal. Although lithium has an aesthetic component, it provides more than just aesthetics.

While lithium works in glass and ceramics, lithium provides more strength and durability so it is one component that is more useful in multiple products.

#18. Gold.

Gold is an elusive and precious metal that has been coveted for thousands of years, and is most often used to produce jewelry, coins, and decorative items.

The persistent value of gold is completely intermittent by the fact that gold does not corrode (when exposed to air) during eternity and gold has also enjoyed fame for its considerable forgiving and malleable quality (with slight effort).

At room temperature, gold is a solid material, that is dense and soft. Gold’s malleable quality inhibits its virulence as an effective conductor; however, gold does allow heat and electricity to easily flow through ‘it’.

#19. Silver.

Silver is and, in addition to gold, is rare and for its physical properties, a precious metal. Silver is soft, ductile and does not oxidize to any noticeable extend when exposed to air.

Silver has some great properties, one of which comes in the form of electrically conductive – better than any other element, except for gold.

It has some great characteristics, but while it qualifies as a decent conductor it is still less than gold. So the ability for many industries/functions to tick along smoothly means that silver is a valuable resource.

#20. Platinum.

Platinum is a density metal that is known for its silver-white appearance, its remarkable malleability, and its significant ability to be resistant to corrosion and not be affected by many chemical reaction. Platinum is improvishedly soft and ductile and has a high melting point.

Platinum is not fully invulnerable to acids but instead is only marginally affected by most acids. For example, it exists shiny when it has gone through aqua regia and is placed into white hot flames in air.

Platinum may be dissolved with hydrochloric acid at a slow rate but only as long as there is air present. Via of the majority of times small quantities of iridium weakly alloyed into pure platinum is what is intermediating the bronze platinum because it does not disturb the benefits of platinum and its stronger.

#21. Mercury.

In standard room temperature, Mercury is the only metal that is liquid, which is unusual for metals in general.

Mercury has a silvery white look that will soon tarnish its shiny metallic surface from the moisture in the air. When cooled to -38.83 °C, mercury will freeze and become a soft solid that resembles tin, lead, or a piece of butter. At its boiling temperature of 356.62 °C it will vaporize into a gas.

Mercury is so dense that it has been and is still used as a distance measurement (e.g., in barometers, thermometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, etc).

There are many more practical applications such as in float valves, mercury switches, relays, fluorescent lights, etc. The unique and semi-volatile properties it has allow it to be utilized for quick precision and sensitivity.

#22. Gunmetal.

Gunmetal, a type of bronze, has fallen out of favor today as an ordnance material, yet it was historically the material in bronzes that was used for ordnance. Modern admiralty gunmetal consists of 88% copper, 10% tin, and 2% zinc.

Gunmetal is used for real bearing and gear parts which will see heavy loads and low speed because of the strength and durability of the bronze.

Gunmetal is also extremely well suited for steam pump and valve parts, one of the reasons being the corrosion resistance of gunmetal is very good; and particularly, it has demonstrated a significant amount of resistance to the destructive corrosion of steam and seawater.

Although this corrosion resistant character has been limited to marine corrosion, gunmetal has also performed very well against a number of materials in industrial applications which include nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and mercury.

For these reasons, there is a relatively wider scope of practical applications with regard to gunmetal.

Most experts in industry refer to gunmetal as bronze for steam and hydraulic castings, valves and even for mechanical gears. Gunmetal is a very popular bronze when making statues and ornamental fittings and buttons.

#23. Uranium.

Uranium is an abundant naturally occurring radioactive element that can be found in the earth’s crust as a crustal element at a rate of two parts per million.

Uranium is located in the mineral ore form which has higher concentrations of the element. Uranium is the heaviest element found in nature that exists in an easy to distinguish solid form. Uranium is a dull silver white metallic solid.

Uranium is ductile and malleable which means the element can be shaped and polished without difficulty. However, once uranium is converted to powder, it oxidizes and ignites in air with great ease. In terms of conduction, uranium has moderate electric conduction capabilities.

Uranium is mainly the presumed form of energy to produce electricity for commercial nuclear reactors throughout the world. Also, nuclear energy that produces isotopes is investigated and exploited for medical treatment, industrial use, and military use.

Energy is derived from uranium from the U-235 atoms that split through fission. The heat energy produced is converted into steam, which spins a turbine to produce electricity and electric current that is suitable for immediate use.

#24. Gallium.

Gallium is a soft, silvery-white metal, and like aluminum, can be cut with a knife. One of the largest contributions of gallium is in the electronics industry, where gallium is used as a replacement for silicon due to its properties as a semiconductor.

Gallium will oxidize very superficially, and after it is oxidized, it will have a very slight bluish tint. One of the most peculiar physical characteristics of gallium is that it has a low melting point (almost low as 30 °C or 86 °F).

Gallium also expands when it freezes and due to a phenomenon known as supercooling, it can be held as a liquid at 0 °C (32 °F).

Gallium can be held as a liquid until just about 2,000 °C (3,600 °F). Gallium will have a low vapor pressure until near 1,500 °C (2,700 °F), which also allows gallium to be used at a broader range of temperatures than most common elements.

Gallium arsenide (gallium compound with arsenic) is very well-known in electronics (due to its optical properties) and its crystal lattice behaves similarly to silicon, so it is used routinely as an alternative then silicon can no longer be relied upon.

Gallium arsenide is also a significant contributor to semiconductor technology and uses many of its allotropes in many technologies.

Gallium arsenide is used utilising the ability to convert electrical energy to light and is used in red LEDs (light-emitting diode) and it was used in the solar panels used for the Mars Exploration Rovers (to name one of its great contributions to space technology).

Another significant compound of gallium is gallium nitride. Gallium nitride can provide benefits when used for modern devices and can usually be seen in mobile phones, blue and green LEDs, Blu-ray televisions, and in many touchscreen sensors.

Gallium readily alloys with metals, and the alloys that contain the highest amounts of gallium will be the lowest in melting point.

Due to the high boiling point of gallium, it can be used with high-temperature thermometers and allows one to measure the temperature in a high-temperature state where the vapour would cause a failure in thermometer observation.

#25. Bismuth.

Bismuth possesses an attractive crystal structure and is a lustrous metallic as well, however these same attributes make it hard and brittle. However bismuth does not possess the lustrous white color of many metals, but it possesses a reddish grey color that also makes bismuth special in terms of color.

Bismuth has a relatively low melting point so it is often alloyed with metals such as tin or cadmium in fire detection devices and as fire extinguishing materials because metals have a limited knowledge body of characteristics.

Pure bismuth is too brittle to be effective on its own, it generally is alloyed with other metals to increase bismuths applicability and mechanical properties.

When we look at the physical properties that identify an element as a metal, bismuth is in line with the regular metals in terms of density, conductivity, malleability, luster and characteristics which identify metals.

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