Properties and Applications of Essential Metals

Posted on Dec 20, 2024 in Chemistry

Magnesium

Minerals

Magnesium silicates

Process of Production

  1. Heat Treatment: Heat in an electric oven at a high temperature to obtain magnesium metal.
  2. Electrolysis: Cast magnesium chloride undergoes electrolysis to produce cast magnesium.

Properties

Bright white, very light, soft, malleable, slightly ductile, unalterable in dry air, corrodes in humid air, and reacts with O2 in powder form.

Applications

Pyrotechnics, reducing agent, refractory furnaces, agriculture, chemical industry, construction, and sports.

Alloys

  • Ultralight alloys (Mn + Zn + Al + Mg)
  • Measurement packages (Mg + Al)

Titanium

Mineral

Rutile and ilmenite

Process of Production

Chlorination, reduction in an electric oven, fusion to form titanium ingots.

Properties

White, plate-like, brilliant light, very hard, great mechanical resistance, partially oxidizes, stands up well to corrosion, and resists acid attacks.

Applications

Aerospace industry, cutting tools, pipes and tanks, plastic pigments and varnish, orthopedic prostheses, and dental implants.

Alloys

  • Titanium carbide (refractory for turbines)
  • Tungsten carbide + Co + N + ilmenite (for sharp edges)

Mercury

Mineral

Cinnabar

Process

Roasting, condensation to obtain liquid mercury.

Properties

Liquid, bright silver, very high density, good electrical conductor, high coefficient of thermal expansion, and dissolves most metals.

Applications

Extraction of gold and silver, thermometers and barometers, mercury amalgam (dental), fluorescent lights, and button cells. Possible poisoning hazard.

Alloys

Amalgams

Tungsten

Mineral

Wolframite

Process

Minerals are fused with Na2CO3 to form a soluble salt of tungsten oxide. Treatment with HCl yields tungsten, which is then reduced.

Properties

Steel-gray color, very hard, heavy, very good electrical conductivity, ductile, resistant to acids, and has a high melting point (above 3000°C).

Applications

Filaments for incandescent bulbs, furnace resistors, spark plugs, and electrical contacts.

Alloys

  • Tungsten carbide (C + W) for cutting tools
  • Magnetized steel

Chromium

Mineral

Chromite

Process

(Goldschmidt process) Reduction by roasting to produce ferrochrome, followed by electrolysis to obtain chromium.

Properties

White, glossy, brittle, crystalline structure, very tough, and withstands high temperatures.

Applications

Chrome pigments, anodizing of aluminum.

Alloys

  • Chromium steels
  • Stainless steels

Nickel

Mineral

Nickeline (and garnierite)

Process

Crushing and grinding, separation of sulfur, roasting, reduction, and refining.

Properties

White, not very hard, tough, ductile, malleable, ferromagnetic, and highly resistant to corrosion.

Applications

Mild steel plates, coatings, kitchen tools, marine engines, and accumulators.

Alloys

  • Nichrome
  • Invar
  • Copper-nickel

Zinc

Mineral

Sphalerite

Process

  • Dry Method: Roasting, reduction, refining
  • Wet Method: Dissolution in H2SO4, followed by electrolysis

Properties

Bluish-gray color, brittle when cold, relatively soft, oxidizes to form a protective oxide layer, and does not resist acids and alkalis.

Applications

Sheets for roofing, plumbing, gutters, galvanization, and batteries.

Alloys

  • Brass
  • Nickel silver

Pewter

Mineral

Cassiterite

Process

Shredding, roasting, reduction, refining.

Properties

Bright white, very soft, slightly ductile, very malleable, resistant to weathering, and very resistant to acids.

Applications

Tin foil, tin plating, polishing of stone materials, painting, agriculture, and plastics.

Alloys

  • White metal bearings
  • Soldering (Pb + Sn)

Lead

Mineral

Galena

Process

Gross reduction to obtain lead, followed by electrolytic refining.

Properties

Silver-gray, very soft, fragile, high density, low conductivity, flexible, malleable, high affinity for O2, resistant to acid corrosion, and opaque to electromagnetic radiation.

Applications

Shielding (X-rays), pipes (formerly), batteries and accumulators, and as an additive to glass lenses. Disease: lead poisoning.

Alloys

  • Sn + Pb
  • Pb + Sn + Sb (for increased hardness)

Copper

Minerals

Cuprite, malachite, pyrite, and native copper.

Process

  • Wet Method: (for ore with less than 10% copper content) Leaching in sulfuric acid, followed by electrolysis.
  • Dry Method: (for ore with more than 10% copper content) Shredding, separation of gangue, roasting, calcination, reduction, and refining to obtain copper.

Properties

Soft, ductile, malleable, and a good conductor.

Applications

Pipes, boilers, electrical conductivity, and alloys.

Alloys

  • Brass
  • Bronze
  • Cupronickel
  • Aluminum bronze
  • Nickel silver

Aluminum

Ore

Bauxite

Process

(Bayer method)

  1. Alumina Production: Shredding, mixing with lime, soda, and water vapor, followed by decantation to obtain aluminum hydroxide.
  2. Electrolytic Refining: Aluminum hydroxide is melted with cryolite and subjected to electrolysis to produce aluminum.

Properties

Silver color, very soft, ductile, malleable, good electrical conductor, low density, corrosion-resistant, and difficult to solder.

Applications

Electrical conductivity, carpentry for doors and windows, aeronautics, aluminum foil, and alloys.

Alloys

  • Aluminum bronze
  • Duralumin (Al + Cu)
  • Al + Mg
  • Al + Si
  • Alnico (Al + Ni + Co)