Properties and Uses of Iron, Aluminium, Copper and Titanium

Properties and Uses of Iron, Aluminium, Copper and Titanium

Iron:

Iron is the most frequently used metal thanks to its malleable, ductile and strong properties.
Iron is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
It’s the element most often found in Earth’s crust.
It corrodes easily but adding a small percentage of carbon produces steel, which is stronger and more resistant to rust.
Iron finds extensive use in building materials, automobile manufacturing, and bridge construction.

Aluminum:

Aluminium is known for its lightweight and strong properties, allowing it to be used in a variety of applications.
It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, similar to iron.
Resistant to corrosion due to a layer of aluminium oxide that forms on its surface, preventing further oxidation.
Common uses include aircraft, window frames, packaging materials, and cooking utensils.

Copper:

Copper possesses excellent electrical conductivity, second only to silver, and is an efficient heat conductor.
It is highly malleable, ductile, and resistant to corrosion.
These properties make it perfect for wiring, plumbing pipes and for use in electrical devices such as generators and transformers.

Titanium:

Titanium has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal, making it ideal for aerospace applications.
It is resistant to corrosion from both water and chemicals, and has a very high melting point.
Despite being an excellent material, it’s high cost of extraction mean it’s not as widely used.
In addition to spacecraft and aeroplanes, it is also used in the manufacture of artificial hips and other medical implants due to its biocompatibility.