The ability for a material to withstand a force that is applied to it
Strength
The ability for a material to withstand a force that pulls it
Tensile strength
The ability for a material to withstand a force that squeezes it
Compressive strength
The ability for a material to resist wear or being scratched
Hardness
The ability for a material to not break when a force is applied to it suddenly
Toughness
The ease with which a material can be machined with an acceptable surface finish
without damaging the tool
Machinability
The ability for a material to deform and be hammered into shape under stress without
breaking, relates to the materials compressive strength
Malleability
The ability for a material to be stretched and drawn under stress into a wire, relates to
the materials tensile strength
Ductility
The ability for a material to transfer heat or electricity
Conductivity
The opposite of conductivity so the ability for a material to resist the transfer heat or
electricity
Resistivity
A material or metal's ability to resist attack by other elements and chemicals.
Corrosion resistance
The ability of a material to bounce back after removing deforming forces
Elasticity
, The ability for a material to acquire permanent deformation after the removal of a force,
it happens when the object loses elasticity
Plasticity
A metal that contains iron, is usually silvery-grey in colour, is prone to rusting and
corrosion and is magnetic (except stainless steel)
Ferrous metal
A metal that does not contain iron, has good corrosion resistance but does tarnish and
is non-magnetic
Non-ferrous metal
A mixture of two or more metallic elements which gives enhanced properties
Alloy
A shiny, soft, malleable, ductile and strong metal and used to make steels and girders
Iron
Ductile, malleable, prone to rusting
Used to make car bodies, girders, gates
Mild Steel (Low carbon steel)
Hard, strong
Used for hand tools like screwdrivers and hammers
High carbon steel
Resistant to corrosion, does not rust, with chromium
Used for cutlery, kitchen sinks, surgical instruments
Stainless steel
Resistant to wear but brittle
Used for drill bits, lathe cutting tools
High-speed steel
Molten impure iron from blast furnace for moulds, good compressive strength but brittle
Used for brake discs, machine bases, vices, manhole covers, engine blocks
Cast iron
Ductile, malleable, excellent conductor, reddish brown, corrosion resistant
Used for pipes, wire, cookware
Copper
Well cast and good machinability, corrosion resistant, conducts heat well, alloy of
copper and zinc
Used for musical instruments, screws, water fittings