Steel, aluminium, and copper are the Big Three of metals. Structures like bridges and skyscrapers rely on steel because of the metal's superior strength.
Aluminum is ideal for transportation vehicles like aeroplanes and trains since it has a lower density than steel but is lighter in weight.
Copper is too malleable to be utilised alone; it flattens and distorts under the weight of a heavy hammer blow.
To alter its characteristics, copper can be alloyed with other, harder metals.
The vast variety of metals available makes it challenging to select the optimal one for any given application.
Depending on your situation and final goals, a specific metal may be more appropriate. Some common metals and their applications are discussed below.
Steel, aluminium, and copper are the Big Three in the metal world.
Metals serve many functions in today's society. They have a wide range of applications, from construction to the creation of tools and even weapons.
Additionally, many metals have unique qualities that make them particularly well-suited to certain uses.
So that you know what to look for when shopping for new tools and equipment, this article will go through some of the most commonly used metals and their applications.
As a result of its strength and resilience under pressure, steel finds widespread application in the building and manufacturing industries.
Its superior corrosion resistance to the other two choices makes it a great material for bridges and other outdoor structures with plenty of exposed surfaces that need to be kept dry in wet climates.
Table of Contents
Most Popular Types Of Metals & Their Uses
From the time of the Bronze Age onward, humans have been on the lookout for innovative metalworking techniques.
With thousands of metals and nearly as many grades available, the applications for these materials are only limited by our creativity.
Metals have played a pivotal role in human history, supporting a wide range of industries and paving the way for the Industrial Revolution.
At least eighty different metals are used daily in the building, repairing, and manufacturing of the things we use.
Following is a list of some of the most commonly used metals in the world today. Some of the many potential uses for these metals and their many varieties have been discussed.
Steel
Pure iron typically contains impurities and residues, but steel, an iron alloy containing about 1% carbon, does not.
Iron has a longer lifespan than some other metals, but it is also significantly more cumbersome, dense, and corrosive.
These factors make it so that iron-only construction isn't always the best option.
Adding carbon to iron strengthens it and shields it from these defects.
Additionally, steel's strength-to-weight ratio surpasses that of most other metals, enabling the fabrication of lightweight yet resilient parts.
More than 3,500 different grades of steel are produced annually, making it the most diverse and widely used metal in the world.
The fact that alloys can be created by combining materials with different properties explains why there are so many different kinds of steel.
The world of steel awaits, so let's jump right in!
This metal is used more than any other in modern society.
Iron (the element) and carbon (the compounding element) form steel. This ratio is typically 99 percent iron to 1 percent carbon, though slight variations are possible.
Steel production in 2017 exceeded 1.8 billion tonnes worldwide (half of which was produced in China). The average weight of an African elephant is about 5 tonnes.
Even if you were to try to construct a bridge to the moon entirely out of elephants (which, of course, you couldn't), the combined weight of those elephants would be less than the weight of all the steel produced in a year.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel is what you get when you combine iron with other elements like chromium, manganese, nickel, tungsten, or vanadium.
The different properties brought by each alloying element are what give alloy steel its versatility.
It's like GMO steel; that's the best way to put it. Steel is said to be "alloyed" when other elements are added to it.
In this way, the metal's properties can be adjusted to make it easier to shape. In large part because of its low production costs, this metal is widely used all over the globe.
Alloying elements such as manganese, vanadium, chromium, nickel, and tungsten are frequently used in steel production.
When different elements are added to a metal, it takes on new properties.
Changing the alloy's composition can result in a wide range of desirable changes, including higher material strength and resistance to wear and corrosion.
Alloy steel is widely used as well because it is inexpensive to produce.
Stainless Steel
Incredibly resistant to corrosion, stainless steel is an iron-carbon-chromium-and-other-metal-residue alloy. As a result of its malleability, it can be used for a wide variety of purposes around the house.
Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, making it a great material for cookware and other food-contact items.
Even though it is technically an alloy steel, this material is made in such large quantities and a wide variety of forms that it is often classified as its own category.
This special steel has been made to withstand saltwater and other marine conditions without rusting or corroding.
This is merely steel to which chromium has been added.
The ultra-thin barrier formed by corrosion on chrome actually slows the rusting process. Creating a new barrier in its place after scratching the old one.
There are many tools, appliances, and gadgets available in a kitchen.
Popular belief aside, stainless steel can rust over time.
Depending on the composition, rust can be prevented to varying degrees. Corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, are essential in marine environments.
However, even stainless steel will corrode if it isn't polished and kept clean.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel, in its most basic definition, is an iron-carbon alloy that may or may not have other components.
Carbon content is used to categorise alloys into low, medium, and high carbon steel. Carbon is added to the steel during production to increase its strength.
On the other hand, low-carbon alloys are less complicated and cheaper to manufacture.
Although carbon steel is most commonly used for building structures, it also finds extensive application in the manufacturing of implements and machinery.
Steel is predominantly made up of carbon and iron, with other elements sometimes added in small amounts.
Steel is typically categorised as either low, medium, or high carbon. A material's structure becomes more robust and durable after being treated with carbon. As compared to their carbon-containing counterparts, carbon-free materials are more cost-effective, comfortable, and easy to produce.
Carbon steel is a popular material for making tools and other simple mechanical components, and it is also widely used in the construction industry.
Tool Steel
Tool steel is used because of its hardness to create cutting, drilling, and shock-resistant instruments.
Alloying iron with other elements, such as cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, or vanadium, increases its hardness.
You can find applications for tool steel in the building, shipbuilding, and automobile industries, among others. Its primary use, however, is in the machining and modification of steels of varying types.
Iron
Due to its abundance (it is the sixth most common element in the universe and accounts for about 5% of the Earth's crust) and versatility (it is used in everything from building structures to making tools), iron is a metal with wide application and use. Because of its reactivity with atmospheric oxygen, unalloyed iron rapidly oxidises.
Therefore, in order to make steel more stable, it is typically alloyed with other elements.
To prevent food from sticking, iron is used in cookware because of its porous surface and the combination with hot oil.
Cast iron has a very high melting point, making it ideal for use in stoves that heat wood. Frames and bases of industrial machinery oftentimes use iron because of the metal's high density, which results in increased rigidity and reduced vibrations.
Although this metal has been around for a long time (and was popular during the "iron age"), it is still used in many modern applications.
Steel's primary ingredient, iron, is also used in many other ways in the production of iron-based alloys. However, in addition to these, the following are some additional applications and justifications for iron:
- A natural non-stick coating is formed when cooking oils are burned into the porous surface of a skillet or other similar cookware.
- Wood-burning stoves - cast iron has a high melting point, so the stove is safe to use at very high temperatures.
- This metal effectively deadens vibrations and ensures a steady structure when used to build the bases and frames of large machinery.
Aluminium
Aluminum, a sturdy, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant metal, is mined from bauxite. Aluminum's machinability, electrical conductivity, and inability to magnetise led to its widespread use after it was first produced in the 19th century.
It is the most widely distributed non-ferrous metal and can be alloyed with the vast majority of other metals due to its plasticity and high alloying potential.
Although aluminum's strength-to-weight ratio is impressive, the metal oxidises and corrodes when exposed to salt. It finds use in containers, home appliances, and even aeroplanes.
By today's standards, this metal is state-of-the-art.
Aluminum production started in 1825, and since then, it has been the impetus for a lot of big ideas to get off the ground.
For instance, this metal is significantly responsible for flight and the successful moon landing due to its remarkable strength-to-weight ratio.
Soda cans are made from aluminium because it doesn't rust and is easy to work with. In addition, it can be rolled out into an extremely thin sheet, which is ideal for barbecuing fresh fish because it helps to keep the fish moist.
Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in the world, despite the fact that its production process is more involved than that of other metals.
Among metals that don't contain iron, it has the widest distribution.
The material oxidises rather than rusts. To put it another way, iron is the only metal that "rusts."
Aluminium rusts in the presence of salt. It doesn't rust or corrode in damp environments.
Aluminium is great for use in freshwater boats for this reason.
Zinc
Zinc's low melting point makes it an affordable metal that can be found almost anywhere. Because of its malleability when molten, it is easy to cast and recycle. The finished product is strong for its weight and has a low electrochemical potential.
To prevent rust, zinc is used in galvanised steel and as a protective coating for other metals. It has wide-ranging applications in fields as varied as hardware, electrical, and automotive manufacturing, as well as maritime, and medical science.
The metal's inherent allure is displayed by the wide range of its uses. Since it has a low melting point on its own, it can be cast with relative ease.
The molten state allows the material to flow smoothly, and the resulting objects are strong. In addition, remelting it for recycling purposes is a breeze.
Zinc is a common metal used to create protective layers for other metals. Commonly used materials include galvanised steel, which is essentially just steel that has been dipped in zinc. Because of this, rust will develop much slower.
About half of the annual zinc production occurs during the galvanising process (12 million tonnes).
Bronze
The bronze alloy is made by combining copper and tin with other metals and sometimes other elements such as aluminium, manganese, silicon, or phosphorus. Bronze was the first alloy developed by humans, hence the name "Bronze Age."
Despite its fragility, bronze is an extremely strong material that will not break under stress.
Because of these properties, it is widely employed in the manufacturing of everything from electrical connectors to church bells, ship components, and reflectors.
Texas Iron & Metal not only stocks the top five metals, but also a huge selection of other products that could be useful in your upcoming project.
Its primary element is copper, but it also contains tin at a level of about 12%. This method yields a metal that is stronger and more long-lasting than regular copper.
An alloy of bronze with other substances is achievable. Metals like aluminium, nickel, zinc, and manganese are frequently used as alloying elements. All of these have the potential to profoundly modify the metal.
Culturally and historically, the Bronze Age was pivotal, and bronze itself stands out.
Large church bells are a common example. Bronze, in contrast to softer metals, is not easily damaged by being rung repeatedly. Furthermore, it has a more pleasing sound.
There are many contemporary uses for this material, including guitar strings, sculptures, paintings, springs, and bearings. Interesting fact: Bronze was the first alloy created by humans.
Magnesium
The metal magnesium is one of the most interesting ones. Its strength is roughly equivalent to that of aluminium, yet it weighs about two-thirds as much. As a result, it's getting increasingly widespread.
As an alloy, this is the form in which it is most frequently encountered.
That's because it's used in the production of hybrid materials, in which additional metals and elements are added to improve the desired qualities.
Also, this can make it more convenient to use in production.
Magnesium is widely used for automotive purposes. Magnesium is more expensive than aluminium, but it is still a good choice for lightweight construction because of its high strength to weight ratio.
Magnesium is used in several parts of a high-performance vehicle, including the wheels, engine blocks, and transmission casings.
However, magnesium is not without its drawbacks. In comparison to aluminium, it corrodes at a faster rate.
For instance, it corrodes in the presence of water while aluminium does not.
Though it's nearly twice as expensive as aluminium, working with it is typically more quicker.
Interesting fact: Magnesium burns very, very hot. Explosions can be avoided by properly discarding metal scraps such as chips, filings, and powder.
Copper
Copper is another metal that is somewhat dated. These days, it is typically found in the form of an alloy (of which more will be spoken below) or in a relatively pure form.
Applications range from electronics and water pipelines to monumental sculptures celebrating freedom.
A protective patina of oxidised copper really works to stave against future corrosion. Put simply, it will stop corroding and turn green. This can extend its useful life by centuries.
Brass
Brass is a copper-and-zinc alloy. There are a lot of great applications for the yellow metal that is produced.
Because of its attractive golden hue, it is frequently used as a decorative accent. Further, this metal is often found in the form of handles and knobs on vintage pieces of furniture.
It can also be easily shaped by hammering or other means of manipulation due to its high malleability.
It's for this reason that brass instruments like trumpets, trombones, and tubas are made of this material. They can be hammered into almost any form and hold their shape for some time.
Titanium
This is a fantastic example of cutting-edge metal. It wasn't until 1932 that it was finally manufactured outside of a lab, but it had been discovered in 1791, developed in its pure form in 1910, and produced for the first time in 1910.
Although it is the seventh most prevalent metal on Earth, titanium is notoriously difficult to purify. The high cost of production explains why this metal is so pricey. However, on the plus side, it's incredibly beneficial:
- Titanium is biocompatible, therefore it won't cause your body any problems. Titanium is widely used in the medical implant industry.
- Compared to other metals, it has the highest strength-to-weight ratio. As a result, its utility for aerial vehicles is enhanced greatly.
- You won't have to worry about rust or corrosion with this.
- Coating metal cutting tools with titanium nitride (titanium that has reacted with nitrogen in a high energy vacuum) makes them extremely hard and reduces friction.
Tungsten
Tungsten is the strongest pure metal and has the highest melting point. As a result, it's a great asset.
Tungsten carbide accounts for roughly 50 percent of global tungsten use. The extreme hardness of this material makes it ideal for use in cutting tools, abrasives, and construction and mining machinery. It has no trouble slicing through titanium or high-temperature superalloys.
The Swedish words "tung sten," translated literally as "heavy stone," are the source of the name. In comparison to lead, it's around 1.7% denser.
In addition to being used as a standalone material, tungsten is frequently found in alloys. As a result of its high melting point, it is frequently alloyed with other elements to create products like rocket nozzles that can withstand high temperatures.
What are the top 5 strongest metals?
The five strongest metals
- Osmium. Osmium, one of the less well-known metals on the list, is a bluish-white colour, highly resistant, and has a melting temperature of 3030 degrees celsius.
- Steel.
- Chromium.
- Titanium.
- Tungsten.
- Tungsten, the strongest of all natural metals. Pure tungsten has the highest tensile strength of any metal, clocking in at 1510 megapascals.
- Steel is the strongest alloy.
- Hardest metal is chromium.
- Titanium, the Strongest and Most Versatile Metal.
Conclusion
Steel, aluminium, and copper are known as the "Big Three" of metals. They can be used for anything from building structures to making implements and weapons due to their adaptability and specific properties. Some of the most popular metals and the ways they're put to use are discussed here. More than 3,500 distinct types of steel are manufactured each year, making it by far the most versatile and widely used metal on the planet. Steel has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than any other metal and is created by fusing iron and carbon.
Iron combined with other elements like chromium, manganese, nickel, tungsten, or vanadium produces alloy steel. A metal's properties, such as its strength and resistance to wear and corrosion, can be improved by adding other elements to it. Stainless steel, an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and sometimes other metal residues, is a popular material because of its low production costs. Stainless steel, unlike regular steel, is resistant to rusting and corrosion in marine environments. Depending on the specific variety, carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy.
Alloys can be broken down into three distinct groups, based on their carbon content: low, medium, and high carbon steel. Carbon-free materials are superior in all of these regards, and they are also simpler to manufacture and cheaper. Cutting, drilling, and impact-resistant tools are all made from tool steel. Steels of all kinds can be machined and altered with iron. Cookware, wood-burning stoves, and industrial machinery are just a few of the many places you'll find iron's sixth-most common occurrence in the universe at work.
It is used to make iron-based alloys, among other things, and is alloyed with other elements to make sure food doesn't stick. Obtainable from bauxite, aluminium is a non-ferrous metal that is strong, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion. Because of its malleability and high alloying potential, it can be combined with nearly any other metal. It accounts for the lion's share of non-ferrous metal production. Although it takes more work to produce than most metals, aluminium is one of the most widely used metals worldwide. It is non-rusting and simple to shape.
It finds use in many different industries, from the hardware and electrical to the automotive and even the maritime and medical sectors. Zinc is often used to coat other metals in order to prevent them from rusting, and bronze is so durable that it cannot crack under pressure. You can find it in everything from electrical connectors to church bells, ship parts, and reflectors. The top five metals are available at Texas Iron & Metal, along with a wide variety of other products that may be of use to you in your upcoming endeavour. Guitar strings, sculptures, paintings, springs, and bearings are just some of the modern applications for the first alloy ever created by humans: bronze.
Even though it's more expensive than aluminium, magnesium is a great material for building with a minimal impact on performance. Copper, like many other metals, has seen better days, and it is now more common to find it in alloys or relatively pure forms. Patinas of oxidised copper, which serve as protective coatings, can extend copper's service life by centuries. Brass, a copper-zinc alloy commonly found in vintage furniture's decorative accents, handles, and knobs, is malleable and therefore easy to work with. Titanium, a modern metal, was first discovered in 1791, developed in 1910, and mass-produced for the first time in 1910.
It's tough to get absolutely clean, but it's biocompatible and has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any material. Metals like osmium, tungsten, chromium, and titanium are among the five strongest. Osmium has a melting point of 3030 degrees Celsius, is a bluish-white colour, and is very resistant. Cutlery, abrasives, and heavy machinery in the building and mining industries all benefit from tungsten's superior strength and high melting point. Chromium is the strongest alloy and has the highest tensile strength of any metal. Titanium has no equal as a metal in terms of strength and adaptability.
Content Summary
- Steel, aluminium, and copper are the Big Three in the metal world.
- Metals serve many functions in today's society.
- They have a wide range of applications, from construction to the creation of tools and even weapons.
- So that you know what to look for when shopping for new tools and equipment, this article will go through some of the most commonly used metals and their applications.
- Following is a list of some of the most commonly used metals in the world today.
- More than 3,500 different grades of steel are produced annually, making it the most diverse and widely used metal in the world.
- Corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, are essential in marine environments.
- Soda cans are made from aluminium because it doesn't rust and is easy to work with.
- To prevent rust, zinc is used in galvanised steel and as a protective coating for other metals.
- Texas Iron & Metal not only stocks the top five metals, but also a huge selection of other products that could be useful in your upcoming project.
- An alloy of bronze with other substances is achievable.
- A protective patina of oxidised copper really works to stave against future corrosion.
- Brass is a copper-and-zinc alloy.
- It's for this reason that brass instruments like trumpets, trombones, and tubas are made of this material.
- This is a fantastic example of cutting-edge metal.
- Titanium is widely used in the medical implant industry.
- Tungsten is the strongest pure metal and has the highest melting point.
- The extreme hardness of this material makes it ideal for use in cutting tools, abrasives, and construction and mining machinery.
- What are the top 5 strongest metals?The five strongest metalsOsmium.
- Tungsten, the strongest of all natural metals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, metals can be divided into two categories: ferrous metal and nonferrous metal. Alloys based on iron, manganese and chromium are usually referred to as ferrous metals. Iron-based alloys are called steel. Alloys based on the remaining alloys are referred to as non-ferrous metals.
- Steel. Carbon Steel. Alloy Steel. Stainless Steel.
- Iron (Wrought or Cast)
- Aluminum.
- Magnesium.
- Copper.
- Brass.
- Bronze.
- Zinc.
Metals form positively charged ions called cations through loss of electrons. They react with most other elements, but especially nonmetals, such as oxygen and nitrogen. The most commonly used metals are iron, aluminum, copper, zinc, and lead. Metals are used for an enormous number of products and purposes.
With over 3500 different grades and almost 2 billion tons of steel manufactured globally each year, steel is the most commonly used metal in the world.