Metals
At CERAM, our extensive knowledge of metals and alloy formulations and their properties means that our metallurgy work and research extends across virtually every industry sector, including aeronautics, automotive, space, machinery, chemical, energy, construction, packaging, electrical, computing and health.
Of the 87 known metals in the periodic table, 61 of them are commercially available and, amongst these, the most commonly used industrial alloys are based on Al, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn. More specialised metals include for example Be, Bi, Ca, Co, Cr, Ga, Gd, Hf, In, Li, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ta, Ti, V, W, Y, Zr; while the precious metals comprise Ag, Au, Pd, Pt. Thanks to our metals expertise, we know how to combine different ratios of metals as alloys to produce different combinations of properties which can be used for many diverse applications.
Why Use Metallic Materials?
- In general, they have high electric conductivity, thermal conductivity, lustre and density, and the ability to be deformed under stress without cleaving.
- Different ratios of metals can be combined as alloys to produce properties for diverse applications.
- As alloys they are generally ductile, harder, resistant to corrosion or have a more desirable colour and lustre.
- Some metallic materials can be fabricated to yield specific properties such as piezoelectrics, superconductors, optical and magnetic properties and biocompatibility.
There is a wide range of different metallic alloy systems, all with unique properties:
- Steels – low cost, high strength (95% of metal use by weight is steel)
- Aluminium alloys – high specific strength, corrosion resistance, specific conductivity
- Copper (and zinc) – high electrical and thermal conductivity, easy to cast, corrosion resistance
- Titanium alloys – higher specific strength and higher temperature application
- Superalloys – high temperature strength.
which can find use in different industries and for different applications:
| Metal | Industries | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Steels | Very wide | Automotive, building, white goods |
| Aluminium alloys | Aerospace, packaging, sports equipment, energy, construction | Aircraft, food containers, power cables, building cladding |
| Copper alloys & zinc | Construction, electronics, coins, transport | Plumbing, circuit boards, electronic components, galvanising |
| Titanium alloys | Biomedical, aerospace, metallurgy |
Body implants, medical, military airframe and engines, spacecraft, alloying addition to steels |
| Superalloys | Aerospace | Aircraft engines and space craft |
CERAM's Metal Projects:
- development of advanced NiMH alloys for hybrid vehicle applications (EU project BOBA)
- development of high activity nickel catalysts for alkaline fuel cells (EU project IMPRESS)
- powder production for 3D manufacture by laser melting (EU project IMPALA)
- failure analysis of medical components
- consultancy on investment casting
- surface analysis of coatings.