Modifying Metals
Learning Objectives
experimental modification of a selected metal related to the use of coatings or heat treatment or alloy production
Summary Notes
Heat Treatment
Quenching heating metals just below melting temperature and then cooling rapidly in room temperature water. These metals are hard but brittle.
Annealing is heating a metal to a point just below its melting temperature, and then allowing it to cool slowly back to room temperature. These metals are softer and more malleable.
Tempering is heating a quenched metal to a point just below its melting temperature and then cooling it slowly. This results in a had but less brittle metal.
Metal Alloys
Alloying is the process of mixing metals to change its properties.
There are two types of alloys.
Substitutional Alloys are alloys made by mixing atoms of the same size e.g. Sterling Silver which is a mix of silver and copper.
Interstitial Alloys is an alloy made of mixing atoms of different sizes. The smaller atoms fit into the spaces between larger atoms e.g. steel which is made from iron and carbon.
Videos to help build your understanding
Heat Treatment
Alloys
Practice Material
Teacher's Tip:
Learn this section well as this is covered again in Unit 2 for the topic of redox. It is often used in the "Explain" style questions