Non-Ferrous Metals

Non-ferrous metals in their pure state are employed in the manufacture of aircraft  structures to a very limited extent as compared to their use in the alloyed forms. The  properties and uses of non-ferrous metals commonly used in pure state are given below:

Aluminum
Properties: Light, ductile, soft, malleable, corrosion resistant,  high electrical conductivity.  Work hardens.
Uses: Aircraft fairings, fuel tanks, tubing,  rivets and unstressed structures. Used  extensively in light alloys.

Cadmium
Properties: Corrosion resistant.
Uses: Anti-corrosive plating, fusible alloys and bearing metals.

Chromium
Properties: Hard brittle, corrosive resistant. 
Uses: Ann-corrosive plating, alloyed with steel and other metals.

Copper
Properties: Tough, ductile, malleable, high thermal and electrical conductivity. Fair corrosion  resistance. Work hardens.     
Uses: Tubing, electrical conductors, rivets,  nails, gauze. Used extensively in  light alloys and bearing alloys.         

Lead
Properties: Soft, Plastic, malleable, acid resistant.
Plates in lead-acid accumulators.  Cable sheathing, protective linings,  ballast. Alloyed with tin and  bearing alloys.  

Magnesium
Properties: Soft, poor corrosion resistance, brittle, lighter than  aluminium.       
Uses: Used extensively in light alloys, and  in small quantities as a deoxidant.  Ignitable charge in incendiary bombs  and flares, and used in photographic  flash powder.       

Nickel
Properties: Hard, ductile, corrosion  resistant, withstands high  temperatures.   
Uses: Anti-corrosive , plating; Used in  ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.

Zinc
Properties: Soft, ductile, malleable
Uses: Anti-corrosivc plating. Constituent  of brass and other alloys.   

Tin
Properties: Soft, ductile, malleable  corrosion resistant.    
Uses: Anti-corrosive plating. Important  constituent of solder.    

Manganese
Properties: Hard, brittle metal having a  reddish or greyish tinge.        
 Uses: Used in the preparation of manganese steel which is used where  parts are exposed to great wear  and tear, example: railway tracks.            
         

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