What about light metals?

What are light metals

The general defining property of any non-ferrous metallurgy products is the complete or extremely low iron content in their composition. This determines the ability of such elements or alloys based on them to form an oxide protective film and exhibit high resistance to corrosion. Thanks to this quality, products made from these materials acquire additional functional value and are widely used in various industries and households.

Group of light non-ferrous metals

The most common methods of classifying non-ferrous metals according to their physical and chemical properties include distribution into seven groups, among which the so-called heavy and light non-ferrous metals are distinguished. This conditional definition is based on the density of the material.

The main list includes aluminum, magnesium, titanium, lithium, tin, and beryllium. This group also includes cadmium, thallium, gallium, bismuth, indium and other elements.

The production of light alloys is extremely energy-intensive, so enterprises specializing in this area of ​​metallurgy are located directly near sources of cheap energy.

Specific Features

Despite belonging to a general group, different light non-ferrous metals have specific properties that distinguish them from each other, as well as determining the value of a particular material and its scope of application. To better understand these nuances, it is worth taking a closer look at the main representatives of this type of non-ferrous metal.

Perhaps the most typical example of a light non-ferrous metal, well known to the widest circle of users, is aluminum. The material is plastic and easy to process, due to which it is extremely popular in a wide range of industries - from the space and aviation industries to the manufacture of kitchenware. The oxide film reliably protects the surface of aluminum products from the negative effects of the environment and aggressive substances. The main properties include:

• high thermal and electrical conductivity;
• corrosion resistance;
• high plasticity;
• low density.

Unlike aluminum, magnesium is characterized by low ductility, therefore it is practically not considered as a structural material. It has the following properties:

• ability to form hydroxide;
• high melting point;
• increased resistance to corrosion;
• strengthening of mechanical properties.

The lightest non-ferrous metal is lithium, which is usually used for alloys and is indispensable for working with optics, lasers, and the production of anodes. In the manufacture of electrolytes for alkaline batteries, hydroxide is used, and in ceramic production, lithium silicate and aluminate are used. The properties of this element make it very useful for the metallurgical and military industries, as well as for medicine, pharmaceuticals, and the thermonuclear industry.

Alloys containing light non-ferrous metals

In its pure form, non-ferrous metal is not used as often as it is used as components of various alloys. For example, the well-known bronze is nothing more than a combination of copper with aluminum, tin, manganese, lead and a number of other elements. Due to its good casting characteristics, the material is widely used for the manufacture of plumbing equipment (valves, taps), lighting devices, decorative items and other products.

Silumin also has high casting characteristics, combining the properties of aluminum and silicon - ductility, flexibility, hardness.

By modification, these mechanical characteristics of silumins can be significantly improved due to an increase in the degree of dispersion of the crystals. Another alloy with an aluminum base is duralumin.

Along with aluminum, there are manganese, copper, silicon, magnesium and other elements belonging to different groups. The technical properties of duralumin are increased through heat treatment.

Features of delivery of light alloys

Currently, individuals and legal entities have the opportunity to make a profit from delivering non-ferrous metal to specialized collection points. The cost of scrap is determined by a number of factors, including the quality of the material, the purity of its chemical composition, category and other parameters. Current prices on the market and the tariffs of a specific host company are also important.

The formal side of the issue of handing over any scrap, including light non-ferrous metals, has its own specifics. Everyone has the right to such an event, but it is implemented in different ways. For example, if the delivery of non-ferrous metal is carried out by a legal entity - an organization, an enterprise or a representative of a small business (IE), then a special license will be required. This requirement does not apply to individuals, but several rules should be taken into account:

• Only your own scrap is allowed for acceptance (with documents confirming the right of ownership);
• the non-ferrous metal to be handed over must be included in the register of materials accepted without a license;
• Delivering scrap to illegal collection points can have very unpleasant consequences in accordance with current legislation.

In addition to purely mercantile interest, the delivery of non-ferrous metals is attractive from an environmental point of view and the conservation of natural resources. The recycled scrap is again used to manufacture the necessary products, and production from recycled materials is cheaper than using ore.

Taking into account the fact that industry's need for scrap is steadily growing, while natural reserves of raw materials are rapidly declining, a closed production cycle is the most rational.

Thus, everyone who donates non-ferrous metal scrap not only increases their own well-being, but also acts for the benefit of society as a whole.

Source: http://www.CvetMetLom.ru/info-metal/legkie-cvetnye-metally

Types of scrap and waste of non-ferrous metals and alloys, marking, classification and categories of non-ferrous metals

Non-ferrous is a group of different metals and their alloys.

Let's take a closer look at what non-ferrous metal scrap is.

There are two groups of metals:

Iron and its alloys are called black

The rest are non-ferrous or non-ferrous.

Their list is diverse:

• aluminum;
• copper;
• nickel;
• manganese;
• titanium;
• zirconium, etc.

are in demand today both in production and in scientific activities . Their areas of application are varied.

Scrap metal collection points are happy to buy non-ferrous metal scrap at competitive prices, and in order to avoid getting into trouble when handing it over, you need to be familiar with the types and know the standard classification of non-ferrous metals.

Classification of non-ferrous metals according to GOST

The current GOST 1639-2009 clearly indicates what belongs to non-ferrous metal scrap.

The classification of scrap is divided into four main sections that characterize it:

• Name;
• physical parameters;
• chemical composition;
• quality.

GOST metals and their alloys.

displays 13 types that are accepted in organizations for the reception of recyclable materials.

Below is a table in which you can see a list of non-ferrous metals in one list and the number of individual types of scrap:

Pure metal can rarely be found , since most scrap is made up of alloys.

Upon acceptance, belonging to one or another type is assessed by the element that is greater in percentage terms in recyclable materials.

This ratio can be determined using special equipment.

Non-ferrous metal scrap is divided into types according to the following criteria :

• origin;
• chemical composition;
• physical state.

The origin of the scrap may be as follows:

• industrial waste;
• marriage;
• substandard;
• scrap of finished products.

The chemical composition of non-ferrous metal scrap, which is determined in the laboratory, shows which metal or alloy it belongs to.

The most valuable recyclable materials are unalloyed metals with a low content of impurities. Physical parameters are just as important when passing as chemical ones.

According to these characteristics, scrap is divided into the following classes :

• A – directly refers to scrap and lump waste;
• B – includes shavings, tangled wire and small pieces;
• B - powdered waste (mainly found only in rare metals: tungsten, cobalt, molybdenum and titanium);
• G - other recyclables.

Safety

All non-ferrous scrap must be checked for:

• presence of radiation and harmful chemical contamination;
• explosion hazard.

When transporting scrap metal, it must be accompanied by documentation on radiation and explosion safety.

The concentration of harmful substances must not exceed the values ​​specified in GOST 12.1.005.

The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources has identified five classes of chemical, radiation and explosion hazards of non-ferrous metal scrap:

1. Hazardous waste with great harm to the ecosystem. These include mercury, polonium and plutonium.
2. Highly hazardous waste, the consequences of which take nature thirty years to remove. These are alloys of lead, cobalt and molybdenum.
3. Moderate danger , in which it takes ten years to restore the ecology. This is scrap mixed with copper, nickel, iron, zinc, aluminum and silver.
4. Low hazardous waste, removal of the consequences takes three years. This includes scrap bronze.
5. Low danger , such scrap does not harm the environment. This is the most common class among colored scrap.

Due to the expected harm to humans and nature, all operations with non-ferrous scrap require a license from the points accepting secondary non-ferrous metals. Checking for all types of hazards is carried out according to the following scheme:

Quality

GOST specifies quality parameters that determine the grade of scrap.

characteristics are of great importance here :

• scrap size;
• origin of scrap;
• uniformity;
• amount of blockage;
• chemical composition;
• physical state;
• dimensions and volume.

Quality is determined on a representative sample.

According to GOST, all transported scrap must be marked with the following indication:

• names;
• GOST designations;
• designations of the type of recyclable materials;
• alloy grades.

Marking of non-ferrous metals and alloys must be firmly attached to the cargo during transportation and storage.

To determine the grade of metal, you need to look at the stamp book , a special document with all the markings of the metal or alloy you are interested in.

Kinds

The large number of non-ferrous metals and various characteristics required their classification into separate types.

industrial systematization is in use , reflecting the historically established components of the metallurgical industry and the science of the same name.

The name itself does not fully reflect the essence of non-ferrous metal.

Only gold and copper are colored, while the rest are the usual grey-black shades.

Science usually distinguishes the following types of non-ferrous metals and alloys:

• lungs;
• heavy;
• noble;
• refractory;
• scattered;
• rare earth;
• radioactive.

industry in Russia today is on the rise and includes:

• metal mining;
• ore beneficiation;
• metal smelting

The main non-ferrous metals include:

Aluminum is an excellent electrical conductor. It is flexible, which is both its advantage and disadvantage.

To give it strength add :

• manganese;
• copper;
• magnesium, etc.

Such alloys are used for the production of :

• airplanes;
• sea ​​and river ships;
• space shuttles;
• in construction;
• in the food industry.

Aluminum and its alloys are the cheapest type of non-ferrous metal scrap.

You can find it in a variety of household items, including:

• siding;
• gutters;
• roofing

Copper is a commonly found non-ferrous metal.

It also has good characteristics:

• plastic;
• good electrical conductor;
• good heat conductor.

It is in great demand in alloys and is used in various economic sectors.

Its alloy with zinc and tin is known - brass.

It can be found in:

• cars;
• hours;
• expensive jewelry.

find copper for scrap metal in:

• power cables;
• water pipes;
• household products.

Copper is highly valued at recycling centers.

Rare

Rare earth metals are used to improve the qualities of other metals and became widely used with the development of industrial production in the 20th century.

These are the following metals:

• scandium;
• yttrium;
• lanthanides.

The name itself suggests that there is very little of these non-ferrous metals in the earth's crust. Also, previously, refractory oxides that form rare non-ferrous metals were called “earths” . They are extracted from oxides.

Today, rare earth metals can be found in all digital devices:

• smartphones;
• players;
• computers;
• in hybrid engines;
• in other electronics.

Alloys made from them have high characteristics , for example:

• anti-corrosion;
• strength;
• heat resistant.

Let's consider heavy non-ferrous metals, collecting them in several lists.

The heaviest non-ferrous metals on Earth:

Rarely found in soil , it is generally the most expensive non-ferrous metal.

Also included in this group are:

• copper;
• lead;
• zinc;
• tin;
• nickel.

All of them have a high density and, accordingly, a lot of weight, which is why they get the name – heavy.

Lead is widely known and used in many industries , contained in:

It is made from:

Lead is also used to create protective aprons from radiation .

Has the following characteristics:

• low thermal conductivity;
• plastic;
• toxicity.

Therefore, lead must be used carefully, following all safety regulations.

Tin used to be called an alloy of lead and silver.

Today, tin is used in the metallurgical industry and the production of various alloys, which include:

• bearings;
• packaging foil;
• bronze;
• food tin;
• wires

Nickel is a heavy non-ferrous metal with high heat-resistant and anti-corrosion characteristics. Nickel is used in alloys. In stainless steel it is the main component.

Made from nickel :

• coins;
• armor;
• chemical equipment;
• wire;
• foil;
• a thread;
• powder;
• alkaline batteries.

in demand in:

• shipbuilding;
• electrical engineering.

Lungs

The definition of “light non-ferrous metals” includes metals with low density.

List of the most popular light non-ferrous metals:

• aluminum;
• tin;
• magnesium;
• titanium;
• beryllium;
• lithium.

The lightest non-ferrous metal is lithium. It is widely used in various alloys.

is used in:

• chemical industry;
• metallurgical industry;
• military-industrial complex;
• thermonuclear energy.

Lithium is also used in the manufacture of:

• optics;
• alkaline batteries;
• ceramic products.

The ductility of magnesium is not as good as that of copper and aluminum, which affects the welding properties of this metal. But it can be easily cut with a special tool. At the same time, the mechanical properties leave much to be desired. This it to be widely introduced into industrial production .

Popular types at collection points

The most popular non-ferrous metals at collection points:

If you want to find out what is more profitable to rent out, then read this article.

Conclusion

Historically, non-ferrous metals are divided into types:

• lungs;
• heavy;
• noble;
• rare earths, etc.

This classification is accepted in technology; today it meets almost all the requirements of the industrial industry.

This makes it easier:

• the task of producing new alloys;
• delivery of secondary raw materials from non-ferrous metal at collection points.

Each operation for the acceptance and delivery of non-ferrous metal must be confirmed by an act that states:

• compound;
• quality;
• volume;
• cost per kilogram and for all scrap.

When handing over scrap, make sure that is honest . Many small points deliberately underestimate the grade of scrap or weigh it using incorrectly working scales.

How to prepare non-ferrous scrap metal for delivery, see this video:

Source: https://rcycle.net/metally/cvetnye/vidy-loma-tsvetnyh-metallov-i-splavov-markirovka-klassifikatsiya-i-kategorii-tsvetmeta

Non-ferrous metals - what are they? Classification and their properties:

All existing metals are divided into ferrous and non-ferrous. The first category includes iron and alloys based on it. In the modern world, non-ferrous metals are the most valuable materials used in production. Due to their advantages, they are widely used in those industries where a high degree of resistance to aggressive environmental conditions is extremely important.

Concept

Non-ferrous metals are substances that do not contain iron. They are usually used in the form of alloys. Due to their properties, they are very popular in leading industries: mechanical engineering, rocket, aviation, medical, electronics, instrument making, etc.

Non-ferrous metals are often various types of rolled products intended for subsequent production of products. Contrary to their name, they do not always have bright shades and a sparkling shine. However, all non-ferrous metals are valuable materials.

There is no clear classification; most often they are conditionally divided into the following groups:

• heavy;
• lungs;
• small;
• alloying;
• noble;
• rare.

Each group contains many names of substances that have different costs. For example, at a non-ferrous metal collection point, a kilogram of copper scrap is bought for an average of 300 rubles, and silver - 7-30 thousand rubles (depending on its category).

Extraction and processing

Obtaining valuable substances is a labor-intensive and economically expensive process. Their content in the earth's crust is insignificant and in their pure form they are extremely rare.

After mining, the ore is sent to a non-ferrous metals plant for processing. Despite the complexity of the beneficiation processes and subsequent production of blanks, in a number of properties all types of non-iron materials have no analogues, which explains their popularity.

The method of processing non-ferrous metals depends on the substance from which they are composed. The main technologies include:

• pressing;
• punching;
• rolling;
• drawing;
• forging.

Properties

Non-ferrous metals are substances that have valuable benefits:

• high degree of thermal conductivity;
• low density;
• low melting point;
• corrosion resistance.

Depending on the type of alloy, the values ​​of the indicators differ, however, these properties are very important in the production processes of leading industries.

Heavy non-ferrous metals

This group includes:

• copper,
• lead,
• zinc,
• nickel,
• tin.

Copper is a golden-pink metal with a high ductility rate. Its main property is electrical conductivity, due to which it is used mainly in instrument making and radio electronics. In addition, copper has remarkable corrosion resistance and is easy to process. In combination with zinc it forms brass, and with other elements it forms bronze.

Lead is a toxic, gray metal. Despite its properties, it is extremely in demand in the automotive, weapons and medical industries. Lead has a low melting point (327°C), it is malleable and can be easily rolled into thin sheets. Its compounds are added to fuel to improve the quality characteristics of the latter, but at the same time, during vehicle operation, exhaust gases significantly pollute the environment.

Zinc in its pure form is a blue-white metal. When interacting with air, its surface becomes dull due to the appearance of an oxide film. In terms of volume of use in leading industries, zinc ranks 4th.

Nickel is a silvery-white metal. Plastic, which simplifies the processing process. Is ferromagnetic. Often, nickel is used in the form of alloys with steel, iron, chromium, gold, silver, magnesium, etc. In its pure form, it serves as a material for the manufacture of pipes, sheets, spirals, etc.

Tin is a white or gray metal that darkens as it turns into a powder. It has a low melting point (232°C) and good ductility even when cold. In combination with bismuth and cadmium, tin is used to produce reliable fasteners.

Light non-ferrous metals

Examples of substances belonging to this group:

Aluminum is the leader in mining and production volumes throughout the world. It has high electrical conductivity, which decreases due to the addition of various impurities. Difficult to weld, but easy to process in other ways.

Aluminum alloys are widely used in the aviation, rocket, mechanical engineering, and chemical industries. The characteristics of the material, combined with its low cost, make it one of the most popular.

For example, at a non-ferrous metals collection point, a kilogram of aluminum is bought for 35–90 rubles.

Magnesium is a silvery-white substance. The oxide film of the metal is quite resistant to aggressive environmental influences; its destruction occurs when heated to 600°C. At the same temperature, magnesium burns at an astonishing rate. It is mainly used in the military industry and in the production of pyrotechnic products. In the form of alloys - in the automotive and aviation industries.

Titanium is a very refractory substance with increased strength and resistance to deformation. Its peculiarity is its paramagnetic property. In its pure form it is used for the manufacture of various workpieces, in the form of alloys - for the production of parts and mechanisms of increased strength and wear resistance.

Small non-ferrous metals

These include:

Antimony is a silvery-white metal with a bluish tint. An extremely fragile substance that can be crushed even with your fingers. It is used in the form of alloys, significantly increasing the hardness of the metal connected to it. In addition to industrial use, antimony is also popular in the medical industry - it is effective for treating inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane of the eyes.

Mercury is a metal that has a liquid state of aggregation. It has been used for many years in the medical industry (thermometers) and advanced technologies (position sensors, ion engines).

Cadmium is a white substance with a bright metallic luster. Along with increased hardness, it is easy to cut with a knife. Its properties are similar to mercury and zinc. In its pure form, it is poisonous to any living beings.

Alloying non-ferrous metals

Examples of substances in this group are:

• tungsten,
• molybdenum,
• vanadium,
• cobalt.

Tungsten is a silvery-white metal that resembles platinum in appearance. It is one of the most refractory and dense substances. It is used in the production of cutting tools (including medical ones), ammunition, jewelry, aircraft and missile parts.

Molybdenum is a soft, silvery substance that is not found in nature in its pure form. In terms of strength, it is slightly inferior to tungsten, but is easier to process. It is mainly used in the aviation and missile industries.

Vanadium is a silvery-white metal characterized by high ductility. It is rarely used in its pure form; its main purpose is to increase corrosion resistance and improve the mechanical properties of steel used in the automotive industry.

Cobalt is a silvery substance with a yellowish or bluish tint. Alloys based on it are used for the production of tools and parts of medical equipment.

Noble non-ferrous metals

These include:

Gold is a chemically resistant metal. The oxidation process does not start even when it is molten. Only a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids (“regia vodka”) can dissolve metal. It has high viscous properties and is easy to process. On the non-ferrous metals exchange, gold is highly valued - the price for 1 gram is 2,450 rubles.

Silver is a malleable and ductile metal. It has very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Despite its ductility, it is very refractory. Does not oxidize under the influence of oxygen.

Platinum is valued above all else among jewelers and is used in its pure form. It has excellent anti-corrosion properties and high resistance to any chemicals and deformations. At the collection point for non-ferrous metals, 1 gram of platinum scrap is bought for 1,600 rubles.

Rare non-ferrous metals

Examples of substances included in this group:

Niobium is a gray metal with a bright steely sheen. It has paramagnetic properties and has a very high refractoriness index. Widely used in the aviation industry and radio engineering.

Tantalum is a silver-colored substance with high hardness and density. Despite this, it is easy to process. Used in the metallurgical, chemical and nuclear industries.

Finally

Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are extremely popular materials. They are widely used in most industries: mechanical engineering, aviation, missile, nuclear, military, construction, medical, metallurgical, jewelry, instrument-making, electrical, chemical, etc. At the same time, non-ferrous metals are valued higher due to their properties.

Source: https://www.syl.ru/article/339228/tsvetnyie-metallyi---eto-kakie-klassifikatsiya-i-ih-svoystva

The lightest metals in the world

Natural materials such as stone and metal are associated with hardness, strength and, usually, greater weight. However, the latter property is nothing more than a stereotype. If you look at the periodic table of Mendeleev and pay attention to the density parameters of metals, it is not difficult to discover that there are specimens much lighter than water. Meanwhile, such chemical compounds and elements are in demand on a production scale.

List of "weightless" metals

Heaviness depends on the density and size of the atoms. The lower the first indicator and the higher the second, the lighter the chemical element. You don't have to be a great chemist to organize applicants into a structured list. It is much more interesting to find out what beneficial properties such metals have and what applications they find in human life.

Lithium

Lithium is the lightest alkali metal. If we compare the molecular weights of Li and H2O, it turns out that the metal is two times lighter than water. The question often arises of where to store this most valuable element, because it easily reacts with oxygen, oxidizing. To do this, experts use paraffin or petroleum ether.

Surprisingly, lithium in its pure form resembles the consistency of butter, so it can be easily cut with a regular kitchen knife.

Initially, the metal was derived from petalitanium. Later, in 1824, chemists began to synthesize lithium in the laboratory. The difficulty of extraction lies in the fact that the Li content in rocks is 21 grams per 1 ton.

Why do the seasons change each other?

The use of lithium in its pure form is almost impossible. And all because it actively interacts with the environment. More often it is used in the form of alloys with other elements.

In production, such chemical compounds take part in the creation of optical instruments, weapons, and pyrotechnics. Due to its oxidation properties, Li is used in the manufacture of medicines and textiles. It is impossible to imagine electrical appliances without this metal.

And recently its beneficial properties have been appreciated by the aerospace industry.

 Lithium deficiency has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the central nervous system. It is recommended for people with Alzheimer's disease and other mental disorders to take medications containing this biologically useful component.

Potassium

The second place in molecular weight is occupied by element 19 in the periodic table. Like Lithium, it is not found in the form of nuggets due to its increased activity, so potassium is removed from minerals.

It is very soft, has a silver color, and when burned, a violet flame is observed. Potassium interacts with oxygen, acids, and water.

Explosions often even occur, so working with this dangerous metal requires increased attention and the use of protective equipment. If potassium particles get on the skin, they will cause a severe chemical burn.

It should be stored in sealed containers, with the addition of substances that prevent the ingress of oxygen. It could be silicone, mineral oil.

Potassium obtained from rocks in its pure form is used:

• For the manufacture of electrodes;
• In lamps, photocells.

Why is the Moon red, yellow, orange, white?

In the form of alloys, potassium is used:

• When synthesizing superoxide;
• In works to determine the age of rocks;
• As an indicator in biology and medicine;
• As a coolant in reactors.

Potassium is in greatest demand in various types of alloys in medicine. A significant part of drugs, one way or another, is synthesized on the basis of this metal. For example, K iodide, K bromide, K chloride. In addition, it is the basis of fortified complexes aimed at supporting the state of the cardiovascular system and acid-base balance in the body.

Sodium

This inorganic substance is also alkaline and does not occur in nature in its pure form. Contained in minerals: borax, thenardite, halite and others. In laboratory conditions, sodium is obtained using molten table salt. Moreover, as a result of this industrial method, chlorine is also synthesized.

Like lithium and potassium, the metal reacts violently to oxygen, acids, carbon dioxide, and alcohols. May self-ignite if mixed with fluorine or chlorine. When water is added, a small explosion occurs and sodium hydroxide is formed.

In appearance it strongly resembles potassium. It has a silvery color, although it instantly fades in the open air. Among the useful characteristics for industry, excellent conductivity of current and heat is noted.

 Sodium boasts the largest difference between boiling and melting points. So, the first process occurs at +883 °C, and the second at +98 °C. This property determines the use of sodium in nuclear reactors, since it can withstand critical temperatures.

In the life of the human body, Na is necessary for normal metabolism. The lack of a useful element leads to neuralgia and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. But an excess promises high blood pressure and swelling.

25 Interesting Facts About Saturn

Aluminum

The most durable metal among light and non-ferrous metals is aluminum. This element identifies the golden mean, when not only weightless material is required, but also resistant to various types of influences.

 The baby rattle is the first product made of aluminum.

This is one of the few chemical elements that is directly involved in the production of everything that makes up modern life. The most popular metal in the world received the title of the most useful in the 20th century. Although, little has changed in XXI. Aluminum alloys (harder than pure metal) are used in construction, cutlery, tools, furniture and much more.

Artificial metal

In 2015, Californian scientists created microlattis. Today it is the lightest metal on Earth; it consists of 99.99% air. However, the element has unique strength due to its special design. This is a plexus of tubes, each of which is equal in size to 0.001 human hair. The amazing properties of microlattis are only just beginning to be fully used in industry.

to the point

Worth sharing!

Source: https://udipedia.net/samye-legkie-metally-v-mire/

List of heavy metals: types and features

Of all 104 chemical elements known to mankind today, 82 are metals. They occupy a prominent place in the lives of people in the industrial, biological and environmental spheres. Modern science divides metals into heavy, light and noble. In this article we will look at the list of heavy metals and their features.

Determination of heavy metals

Initially, it was customary to call heavy metals those representatives that have an atomic mass above 50. However, the use of this term today occurs more often not from a chemical point of view, but depending on their impact on environmental pollution. Thus, the list of heavy metals includes those metals and metalloids (semi-metals) that pollute elements of the human biosphere (soil, water). Let's look at them.

How many elements does the list of heavy metals include?

Today there is no consensus on the number of elements in this list, since there are no general criteria classifying metals as heavy. However, the list of heavy metals can be formed depending on the various properties of the metals and their characteristics. These include:

• Atomic weight. Based on this criterion, these include more than 40 elements with an atomic mass exceeding 50 amu (g/mol).
• Density. Based on this criterion, those metals whose density is equal to or exceeds that of iron are considered heavy.
• Biological toxicity combines heavy metals that negatively affect the life of humans and living organisms. There are about 20 elements in their list.

Effect on the human body

Most of these substances have a negative effect on all living organisms. Due to their significant atomic mass, they are poorly transported and accumulate in human tissues, causing various diseases. Thus, for the human body, cadmium, mercury and lead are recognized as the most dangerous and heaviest metals.

The list of toxic elements is grouped by degree of danger according to the so-called Mertz rules, according to which the most toxic metals have the smallest exposure range:

1. Cadmium, mercury, thallium, lead, arsenic (a group of the most dangerous metal poisons, exceeding permissible limits can lead to serious psycho-physiological disorders and even death).
2. Cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, antimony, scandium, zinc.
3. Barium, manganese, strontium, vanadium, tungsten

This does not mean, however, that none of the elements grouped above, according to Mertz's rules, should be present in the human body. On the contrary, the list of heavy metals includes these and more than 20 other elements, a small concentration of which is not only not dangerous for human life, but is also necessary in metabolic processes, especially iron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and even zinc.

Environmental pollution with heavy metals

Elements of the biosphere that are polluted by heavy metals are soil and water. Most often, the culprits for this are metallurgical enterprises that process light and heavy non-ferrous metals. The list of polluting agents also includes waste incineration plants, automobile exhausts, boiler houses, chemical production companies, printing companies, and even power plants.

The most common toxins are: lead (automotive production), mercury (example of distribution: thermometers broken in everyday life and fluorescent lighting fixtures), cadmium (formed as a result of burning garbage). In addition, most factories in production use one or another element that can be characterized as heavy. The metal group, the list of which was given above, most often enters water bodies in the form of waste and then reaches humans along the trophic chain.

In addition to man-made factors of pollution of nature with heavy metals, there are also natural ones - these are volcanic eruptions, in the lava of which an increased content of cadmium was found.

Features of the distribution of the most toxic metals in nature

Mercury in nature is most localized in water and air. Mercury enters the waters of the world's oceans from industrial drains, and mercury vapors formed as a result of coal combustion are also found. Toxic compounds accumulate in living organisms, especially in seafood.

Lead has a wide distribution area. It accumulates in the mountains, and in the soil, and in water, and in living organisms, and even in the air, in the form of exhaust gases from cars. Of course, lead also enters the environment as a result of anthropological action in the form of industrial waste and non-recycled waste (accumulators and batteries).

And the source of environmental pollution with cadmium is wastewater from industrial enterprises, as well as natural factors: weathering of copper ores, soil leaching, as well as the results of volcanic activity.

Scope of application of heavy metals

Despite the toxicity, modern industry creates a huge variety of useful products by processing heavy non-ferrous metals, the list of which includes alloys of copper, zinc, lead, tin, nickel, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, etc.

Copper is a highly plastic material that is used to make a variety of wires, pipes, kitchen utensils, jewelry, roofing and much more. In addition, it is widely used in mechanical engineering and shipbuilding.

Zinc has high anti-corrosion properties, so the use of zinc alloys for coating metal products (so-called galvanizing) is common. Areas of application for zinc products: construction, mechanical engineering, printing (production of printed forms), rocket science, chemical industry (production of varnishes and paints) and even medicine (antiseptics, etc.).

Lead melts easily, so it is used as a raw material in many industries: paint and varnish, chemical, automotive (part of batteries), radio electronics, medical (production of protective aprons for patients during X-ray examinations).

Source: https://FB.ru/article/300068/spisok-tyajelyih-metallov-vidyi-i-osobennosti

Non-ferrous metals: list, names, classification and use:

The leading industry in the economy of our country is metallurgy. For its successful development, a lot of metal is needed. This article will discuss non-ferrous heavy and light metals and their use.

Classification of non-ferrous metals

Depending on their physical properties and purpose, they are divided into the following groups:

• Light non-ferrous metals. The list of this group is large: it includes calcium, strontium, cesium, potassium, and lithium. But the most commonly used metals in the metallurgical industry are aluminum, titanium and magnesium.
• Heavy metals are very popular. These are the well-known zinc and tin, copper and lead, as well as nickel.

• Noble metals such as platinum, ruthenium, palladium, osmium, rhodium. Gold and silver are widely used to make jewelry.
• Rare earth metals - selenium and zirconium, germanium and lanthanum, neodymium, terbium, samarium and others.
• Refractory metals - vanadium and tungsten, tantalum and molybdenum, chromium and manganese.
• Minor metals such as bismuth, cobalt, arsenic, cadmium, mercury.
• Alloys – brass and bronze.

Light metals

They are widespread in nature. These metals have low density. They have high chemical activity. They are strong connections. The metallurgy of these metals began to develop in the nineteenth century. They are obtained by electrolysis of molten salts, electrothermy and metallothermy. Light non-ferrous metals, the list of which has many items, are used for the production of alloys.

Magnesium

It belongs to the group of light non-ferrous metals. It has a silver-white color and a film oxide coating. It has a low density and is easy to process. The metal is resistant to flammable substances: gasoline, kerosene, mineral oils, but is susceptible to dissolution in acids. Magnesium is not magnetic. It has low elastic and casting properties and is susceptible to corrosion.

Titanium

This is a light metal. It is not magnetic. It has a silver color with a bluish tint. It has high strength and corrosion resistance. But titanium has low electrical and thermal conductivity. Loses mechanical properties at a temperature of 400 degrees, becomes brittle at 540 degrees.

The mechanical properties of titanium are enhanced in alloys with molybdenum, manganese, aluminum, chromium and others. Depending on the alloying metal, alloys have different strengths, including high-strength ones. Such alloys are used in aircraft construction, mechanical engineering, and shipbuilding. They are used to produce rocketry, household appliances and much more.

Heavy metals

Heavy non-ferrous metals, the list of which is very wide, are obtained from sulfide and oxidized polymetallic ores. Depending on their types, methods for obtaining metals differ in the method and complexity of production, during which the valuable components of the raw material must be completely extracted.

Metals in this group are hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical. Metals obtained by any method are called rough. They undergo a refining procedure. Only after this can they be used for industrial purposes.

Copper

Non-ferrous metals, the list of which is presented above, are not all used in industry. In this case we are talking about a common heavy metal – copper. It has high thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and ductility.

Copper alloys are widely used in industries such as mechanical engineering, and all due to the fact that this heavy metal is well alloyed with others.

Zinc

It also represents non-ferrous metals. The list of names is large. However, not all heavy non-ferrous metals, which include zinc, are used in industry. This metal is fragile. But if you heat it to one hundred and fifty degrees, it will be forged without problems and rolled with ease. Zinc has high anti-corrosion properties, but it is susceptible to destruction when exposed to alkali and acid.

Lead

The list of non-ferrous metals would be incomplete without lead. It is gray in color with a hint of blue. The melting point is three hundred twenty-seven degrees. It is heavy and soft. It is hammer forged well and does not harden. It is poured into various shapes. Resistant to acids: hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, nitric.

Brass

These are alloys of copper and zinc with the addition of manganese, lead, aluminum and other metals. The cost of brass is less than copper, but its strength, toughness and corrosion resistance are higher. Brass has good casting properties. Parts are produced from it by stamping, rolling, drawing, and rolling. This metal is used to make shell casings and much more.

Use of non-ferrous metals

Not only the metals themselves, but also their alloys are called non-ferrous. The exception is the so-called “ferrous metal”: iron and, accordingly, its alloys. In European countries, non-ferrous metals are called non-ferrous metals.

Non-ferrous metals, the list of which is quite large, have found wide application in various industries all over the world, including in Russia, where they are the main specialization. They are produced and mined in all regions of the country.

Light and heavy non-ferrous metals, the list of which is represented by a wide variety of items, constitute a branch of industry called “Metallurgy”. This concept includes the extraction, enrichment of ores, and smelting of both metals and their alloys.

Currently, the non-ferrous metallurgy industry has become widespread. The quality of non-ferrous metals is very high, they are durable and practical, and are used in the construction industry: they are used to decorate buildings and structures. They are used to produce profile metal, wire, tapes, strips, foil, sheets, and rods of various shapes.

Source: https://BusinessMan.ru/tsvetnyie-metallyi-spisok-nazvaniya-klassifikatsiya-i-ispolzovanie.html

Non-ferrous metals - properties, groups, application

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Non-ferrous metals are a special class of stainless metals and alloys that do not contain iron. This includes tin, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and gold. Metals are called non-ferrous because each of them has a specific color. They are distinguished by their strength and durability, since they form a protective oxide film on their surface and are resistant to negative environmental factors.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were about 20 types of non-ferrous metals, and today their number already exceeds 70. Non-ferrous metallurgy is engaged in the extraction, enrichment of ores and smelting of such materials. The production method is high-temperature smelting. Behind each product there is a long and painstaking work - metals are machined and go through forging, welding, pressing, stamping, priming and other processes.

Properties

Non-ferrous metals have high thermal and electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, stability in the temperature range and inertness to aggressive environments. Unlike iron, they do not react to moisture and oxygen, dissolve gases when heated (except for intertwined ones) and easily interact with them.

Groups

Scientists divide non-ferrous metals into several groups:

• Heavy. Tin, copper, nickel, zinc, lead, etc. Extracted from sulfide and oxidized polymetallic ores. World production of metals in this category reaches several million tons per year.
• Lungs. Aluminum, titanium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, beryllium, strontium, barium and other elements in this group have the lowest specific gravity among other non-ferrous metals.
• Noble ones. Gold, silver, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium and iridium are among the rare precious metals and are characterized by increased resistance to oxidation and corrosion.
• Small ones. Representatives of the group are mercury, cobalt, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, etc. Mined in small quantities along with heavy metals.
• Refractory. Known as the most wear-resistant metals. These include zirconium, vanadium, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and other elements with high density and melting point.
• Rare earths. Represented by 17 silver-white metals: holmium, thulium, scandium, samarium, europium, dysprosium, lutetium, promethium, etc. They have the same chemical properties.
• Absent-minded. Rubidium, thallium, gallium, indium, scandium, germanium, rhenium, hafnium, selenium, etc. They are not found in nature as individual elements. Extracted from minerals and ores of other metals.
• Radioactive. Uranium, thorium, protactinium, radium, actinium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, californium, einsteinium, fermium, mendelevium and other elements obtained as a result of nuclear reactions. Such metals emit neutrons, protons, alpha and beta particles or gamma quanta.

Application

In recent years, the demand for non-ferrous metals has increased sharply. They influence the development of many industries and are widely used in aircraft and mechanical engineering, radio electronics, rocket and nuclear technology, high technology, as well as in everyday life.

Non-ferrous metals are an irreplaceable raw material in the production of rolled metal, large structures and small products.

You can order non-ferrous metals and alloys on our website. The catalog page presents a wide range of products with detailed descriptions and prices. The cost per 1 kg depends on the type of material and varies from 135 to 2200 rubles. We accept funds to the bank account. Read more about the conditions for purchasing non-ferrous metals in Moscow and Russian regions here.

Source: https://ferrolabs.ru/blog/zvetnye-metally/

What are the types and types of metals and their alloys?

In construction, industry and other areas of human life, various types of metals are often used. They differ from each other in the properties by which they are selected and used in a particular area. Materials are obtained in a variety of ways. Certain types of metals are combined together to create alloys that have unique physical and chemical properties.

Characteristics and Signs

Metals are a group of elements in the form of simple substances that have characteristic metallic properties. In nature they are present in the form of ores or compounds. Sciences such as chemistry, physics and metallurgy study the characteristics of these materials.

Metals have a combination of different properties. Mechanical factors determine their ability to resist deformation and destruction. Technological methods help determine the ductility of materials to various types of processing. Chemical properties show their interaction with different substances, and physical properties indicate their behavior in thermal, gravitational or electromagnetic fields.

Metals are classified according to the following properties:

• Hardness is the resistance of a material to penetration by another.
• Strength - preservation of shape, structure and size after exposure to dynamic, static and alternating loads.
• Elasticity is a change in shape without violating integrity during deformation and the possibility of returning to its original form.
• Plasticity is the retention of the resulting shape and integrity under the influence of forces.
• Wear resistance - maintaining external and internal integrity under the influence of prolonged friction.
• Viscosity - maintaining integrity under increasing physical stress.
• Fatigue is the number and period of cyclic impacts that a metal can withstand without changing its integrity.
• Heat resistance - resistance to high temperatures.

The primary characteristic of metals is the negative conductivity coefficient of electricity, which increases when the temperature drops, and is partially or completely lost when the temperature rises. Secondary characteristics of materials are metallic luster and high melting point. In addition, some types of metal compounds can be reducing agents in redox reactions.

Metallic properties are interrelated, since the components of the material affect all other parameters. Metals are divided into ferrous and non-ferrous, but they are classified according to many criteria.

Group with iron and its alloys

Ferrous metals are characterized by impressive density, high melting point and dark gray color. This group mainly includes iron and its alloys. To impart specific properties to the latter, alloying components are used.

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Subgroups of ferrous metals:

• Iron - iron, cobalt, manganese, nickel. They are usually taken as a base or as an additive to alloys.
• Refractory - tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, chromium. They melt at a temperature higher than the melting level of iron. Alloy steels are obtained from refractory varieties.
• Rare earths - lanthanum, neodymium, cerium. They have related chemical properties, but differ in physical parameters. Used as an additive to alloys.
• Uranium (actinides) - actinium, neptunium, plutonium, thorium, uranium. Widely used in nuclear energy.
• Alkaline earths - calcium, lithium, sodium. They are not used in free form.

Metals of the ferrous group are represented by iron alloys with different carbon content and the content of additional chemical elements: silicon, sulfur or phosphorus. Popular materials are steel and cast iron. Steel contains up to 2% carbon.

It is characterized by good ductility and high technological performance. In cast iron, the carbon content can reach 5%.

The properties of the alloy may differ with different chemical elements: with the content of sulfur and phosphorus, brittleness increases, and with chromium and nickel, cast iron becomes resistant to high temperatures and corrosion.

Colored varieties

Non-ferrous metals are more in demand than ferrous metals, since most of them are raw materials for the production of rolled metal. This group of materials has a wide range of applications: they are used in metallurgy, mechanical engineering, radio electronics, high technology and other fields.

Classification by physical parameters:

• Heavy - cadmium, nickel, tin, mercury, lead, zinc. Under natural conditions, they are formed in strong compounds.
• Lightweight - aluminum, magnesium, strontium, titanium and others. Characterized by a low melting point.
• Noble ones - gold, platinum, rhodium, silver. They are characterized by increased resistance to corrosion.

Non-ferrous metals are characterized by low density, good ductility, low melting point and predominant colors (white, yellow, red). Various equipment is made from them. Since the strength of the materials is quite low, they are not used in their pure form. Light alloys for various purposes are produced from them.

Materials of this group are characterized by impressive atomic weight and density, exceeding that of iron.

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Copper, which acts as a conductor of electric current, is in great demand.

It is characterized by a pinkish-red hue, low resistivity, good thermal conductivity, low density, excellent ductility and corrosion resistance. In the technical field, copper alloys are used: bronze (with the addition of aluminum, nickel or tin) and brass (with zinc).

Bronze is used in the production of membranes, round and flat springs, worm gears and various fittings. Tapes, sheets, wire, pipes, bushings, and bearings are made from brass.

The group of heavy metals is one of the main causes of environmental pollution. Toxic substances enter the oceans through wastewater from industrial plants. Some varieties of the heavy group can accumulate in living organisms.

Mercury is a highly toxic metal for humans. When coal is burned at power plants, its compounds pass into the atmosphere, and then are converted into sediment and end up in water bodies. Inhabitants of freshwater and marine systems accumulate large amounts of a dangerous substance, which leads to poisoning or death of people.

Cadmium is considered a trace element and a fairly rare element that can enter the ocean through wastewater from metallurgical plants. This substance is present in small quantities in the human body, but at high levels it destroys bone tissue and leads to anemia.

Lead is present in a dispersed state almost everywhere. When there is an excess of metal in the human body, health problems are observed.

Soft types

Silver-white aluminum is characterized by lightness, high corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity and ductility. The characteristics of the material have made it useful in aircraft construction, the electrical industry and food production. Aluminum alloys are used in mechanical engineering.

Magnesium has low corrosion resistance, but the lightweight material is indispensable in the technical field. Alloys with this metal use aluminum, manganese and zinc, which are easy to cut and have high strength. Magnesium alloys are used in the production of cases for cameras, engines and other devices.

Titanium is used in mechanical engineering, the rocket industry and the chemical industry. Alloys containing this substance are characterized by low density, excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and flexibility in pressure treatment.

Noble materials

Some types of metals are rarely found in nature and require labor-intensive extraction methods. The noble group metals are:

• Gold.
• Silver.
• Platinum.
• Rhodium.

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People learned about gold back in the Stone Age. The most expensive metal in the world can be found in nature in the form of nuggets, which contain a small amount of impurities. It is also found in alloys with silver.

Gold has thermal conductivity and very low resistance. Due to its good malleability, the material is used in the manufacture of jewelry.

Silver comes second in value after gold. In nature, it is usually found as silver ore. Silver is characterized by softness, ductility, thermal and electrical conductivity.

Platinum, discovered in the mid-20th century, is a rare material that can only be found in deposits of various alloys. It is quite difficult to obtain. The value of the metal lies in the fact that it is not affected by acids. When heated, platinum does not change color and does not oxidize.

Rhodium is also a noble metal. It has a silver color with a blue tint. Rhodium is resistant to chemical influences and temperature changes, but the fragile metal deteriorates under mechanical stress.

Hardness classification

Metals are also divided into hard and soft.

The hardest pure material in the world is chromium . It belongs to the refractory varieties and lends itself well to mechanical processing. Another solid element is tungsten.

It is characterized by high melting point, heat resistance and flexibility. Various parts are forged from it and small elements necessary for lighting fixtures are made. Tungsten is often present in heavy alloys.

Hard metals are not only difficult to mine, but also difficult to find on the planet. They are mainly found in meteorites that fell to Earth.

The softest metals include potassium, sodium, rubidium and cesium. Also in this group are gold, silver, copper and aluminum. Gold is present in marine complexes, granite fragments and the human body. External factors can destroy valuable metal.

Soft silver is used in the manufacture of dishes and jewelry. Sodium is widely used in almost every industrial sector.

Mercury, the softest metal in the world, is used in the agricultural and chemical industries, as well as electrical engineering.

Source: https://vtothod.ru/klassy/kakie-byvayut-vidy-i-tipy-metallov-i-ih-splavov

Non-ferrous metals: features of application and processing. Light non-ferrous metals

MiscellaneousLight non-ferrous metals

Carbon structural steels are marked St, with numbers indicating the carbon content in fractions of a percent and the letters kp - boiling, ps - semi-calm, sp - calm, G - with a high manganese content, A - high-quality.

For example: St 2ps – structural, containing 0.2% carbon, semi-quiet.

Carbon tool steels are designated by the letter U, for example: U7A - tool steel, contains 0.7% carbon, high quality.

Alloy steels contain the names of alloying additives (the first letters of the names of the metals) and their content after the numbers indicating the carbon content:

For example: 12ХН4А- 12- 0.12% carbon, X-chrome, N-nickel, 4- content of alloying additives, A- high-quality steel.

In the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity, ferrous metals are included in

section XY - Base metals and products made from them,

groups 72 – ferrous metals, 73 – products made of ferrous metals.

Group 72 has subgroups:

1 – primary products in the form of granules or powder,

11 – iron and unalloyed steel.

111 – corrosion-resistant steel,

1U – other alloy steel.

Non-ferrous metals

The following classification of non-ferrous metals is accepted:

1. Lungs having a density of less than 5 g/cm3

2. Heavy, with a density of more than 5 g/cm3

3. Refractory, their melting point is higher than that of iron (1539o)

4. Noble – silver, gold, platinum and platinum group metals

5. Scattered - widespread in the earth's crust, but without significant deposits

6. Rare earths - have low content in the earth's crust

7. Radioactive

This classification does not have clearly defined boundaries of the metals included in them; individual metals, according to their properties, can be classified into different groups. For example, platinum is a noble metal and has a high melting point, titanium is a light and refractory metal, etc.

In the Commodity Code of Foreign Economic Activity, non-ferrous metals are classified into different groups:

Group 28 – alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals, mercury, precious metals in colloidal state and radioactive.

Group 71 – precious metals and metals clad with precious metals.

Group 74 – copper and products made from it.

Group 75 – nickel and products made from it.

Group 76 – aluminum and products made from it.

Group 78 – lead and products made from it.

Group 79 – zinc and products made from it.

Group 80 – tin and products made from it.

Group 81 – other base metals.

Groups 82, 83 – products made of base metals.