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Summary: Metal Used at Home. Uses of common metals
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Alloys (metals blended together or with other products) are most commonly seen around the home, but some metals are seen in their pure form. The most common presentation of metal in the home is in the electroplated form, where a thin layer of metal is fused by electrolysis to an object.
| METAL | USES | INFORMATION |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Flashings/roof coverings | Soft, heavy metal. Easily worked and resistant to rust...Poison risk ! |
| Copper | Plumbing/roofs/decoration | Soft metal, easily worked. Conducts heat and electricity well. |
| Zinc | Flashing substitute | Similar to lead but lighter and not so easily bent. |
| Silver | Cutlery/jewellery | Valuable metal, soft easily worked and damaged. Needs much care. |
| Gold | Jewellery/finery | Valuable metal. 24 carats is pure gold. Needs much care. |
| Brass | Ornaments/decoration/screws | An alloy of zinc and copper, sometimes with some lead. |
| Bronze | Ditto | Alloy of copper, zinc and tin. Easiliy worked. |
| Aluminum | Cans/foil/lightweight parts | Light easily worked metal, rust resistant. |
| Pewter | Tankards/plates/ornaments | Alloy of tin and lead. Generally a dull metal. |
| Mild steel | Screws/hinges | Iron with carbon content of less than 0.1%. Easily worked but prone to rust. |
| Alloy steel | Springs/chisels/saws. | Iron + (eg) Tungsten, chromium, nickel.Very hard but rusts easily. |
| Stainless Steel | Kitchen/car/decoration. | Steel with nickel and chromium. Will not stain or rust. |
| Aluminum alloy | Frames/kettles | Aluminium + copper, manganese and magnesium. Very hard but rusts. |
| Nickel silver | Knives/trays etc | Alloy of copper, nickel and zinc.........No silver! |
| Wrought iron | Gates/chains/fences | Iron with carbon and slag. Easily worked and is suitable for welding and soldering. |
| Cast Iron | Boilers/gutters/fire grates | Iron with between 2 & 5% carbon. Very brittle. Can be moulded but not drawn or twisted. |
| Zinc plate | Screws/nails/rust proofing | Coating of zinc over steel produces galvanized (rustproof) steel/iron. |
| Copper plate | Base for Chromium plating | Coated with copper by electrolysis as undercoat for another metal. |
| Chromium plate | Trimmings eg knobs/handles | Very bright cheaply produced plate for shiny surface. |
| Silver/Gold plate | Jewellery etc. | Plated onto other metals for attractiveness and increased value |
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