There are technological, physical, mechanical and chemical properties of metals.The physical attribute specific weight, color, electrical conductivity.The characteristics of this group are also the thermal conductivity and density of the metal fusibility.
By mechanical characteristics include flexibility, elasticity, hardness, strength, toughness.
chemical properties of metals include corrosion resistance, solubility and oxidation.
Characteristics such as "fluidity", hardenability, weldability, ductility, are technological.
physical properties
- color.Metals do not pass light through it, that is not transparent.In reflected light, each element has its own shade - color.Among the technical coloring metal has only copper and its alloys.For other elements characteristic of a color from silvery-white to gray-steel.
- Fusibility.This characterization indicates the ability of the element due to temperature become liquid from solid.Fusibility is considered the most important properties of metals.During heating, all metals from solid to liquid.Upon cooling, the molten substance, the reverse transition - from liquid to solid state.
- Conductivity.This characteristic indicates the ability of the free electrons transport electricity.The electrical conductivity of metallic bodies thousands of times greater than non-metallic.By increasing the temperature outside the conduction of electricity decreases and as the temperature decreases, respectively increases.It should be noted that the conductivity of the alloys will always be lower than that of a metal constituting the alloy.
- magnetic properties.It is clearly a magnetic (ferromagnetic) elements include only cobalt, nickel, iron, and some of their alloys.However, during heating to a given temperature said materials lose their magnetism.Some ferrous alloys at room temperature are not ferromagnetic.
- thermal conductivity.This characterization indicates the ability of heat transfer from a less heated to a more heated body without apparent displacement of its constituent particles.The high level of thermal conductivity enables uniform and fast heating and cooling metals.Among the technical elements has the highest rate of copper.
Metals in chemistry occupy a special place.Presence allows you to apply the relevant characteristics of a substance in a certain area.
chemical properties of metals
- Corrosion.Corrosion called the destruction of the substance as a result of electrochemical or chemical relationship with the environment.The most common example is considered rusting iron.Corrosion is the most important natural characteristics of some metals.In this connection substances such as silver, gold and platinum are called noble.It has high corrosion resistant nickel and other nonferrous metals.Ferrous metals are susceptible to degradation faster and stronger than in color.
- Oxidability.This characteristic indicates an element's ability to react with O2 under the influence of oxidizing agents.
- solubility.The metals in the liquid state having unlimited solubility in hardening can form solid solutions.These solutions from one component atoms incorporated into the crystal lattice of the other constituents only within certain limits.
should be noted that the physical and chemical properties of metals are one of the main characteristics of these elements.
