Metal properties and processes | Design and technology

Starter quiz

Some metals are combined with rock and these are mined. What do we call this type of rock?
- 'Ore ' ✓
Metals can be categorised as:
- steel
- alloys ✓
- aluminium
- ferrous ✓
- non-ferrous ✓
Why are alloys created?
- improves the properties ✓
- adds strength
- combines the best properties ✓
- changes the colour
Which of these statements are true?
- Some metals corrode in specific conditions. ✓
- Metals can be recycled. ✓
- Metals are sustainable.
- Metals use large amounts of energy to be processed. ✓
- Metals are lightweight.
Match the ferrous metal to the description.
- mild steel
  
  ⇔
  
  Magnetic, rusts, easy to form, used for nuts, bolts and bike frames. ✓
- stainless steel
  
  ⇔
  
  Magnetic, doesn't rust, used for surgical instruments and kitchenware. ✓
- high speed steel
  
  ⇔
  
  Hard, used for saw blades and drill bits. ✓
- wrought iron
  
  ⇔
  
  Magnetic, rusts, ductile and malleable, easy to forge, used for gates. ✓
- cast iron
  
  ⇔
  
  Magnetic, rusts, good compressive strength, used for pots and pans. ✓
Match the non-ferrous metal to the description.
- gold
  
  ⇔
  
  Soft and easily worked, used for jewellery. ✓
- copper
  
  ⇔
  
  Very good conductor of heat and electricity, used for electric cables. ✓
- aluminium
  
  ⇔
  
  Lightweight, good strength to weight ratio, used for drinks cans. ✓

What are two stages to processing metals before it is suitable for use?
- digging
- mining ✓
- melting
- extracting ✓
What is a metal ore?
- rocks which contain metals ✓
- aluminium
- Earth's crust
- raw material
______ is a process for extracting metals from ores.
- 'Electrolysis' ✓
Why is a zinc-based alloy suitable for kitchen utensils?
- It does not react to moisture. ✓
- It has a smooth surface, which is easy to clean. ✓
- It is heavy.
- It corrodes.
What kind of manufacturing process is die casting?
- 'reforming' ✓
The disadvantages of die casting are:
- It is suitable for complex shapes.
- Mould making is a specialist job, which takes time. ✓
- It is a quick process.
- Mould making is expensive, so not suitable for low-volume production. ✓

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Recycling metals reduces their quality.

Most metals, including aluminium and steel, can be repeatedly recycled without negatively impacting their properties.

Extracting - remove or take out
Ore - rock containing metal
Electrolysis - electricity is passed through a substance which causes a chemical change
Die casting - a method of shaping metal, molten metal is forced into a mould under pressure