USES OF METALS

Metals are opaque, lustrous elements that are extremely useful in our daily lives. They are malleable (can be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking) and ductile (can be drawn into a thin wire) and are denser than other elements.

Metals have a wide range of uses as mentioned below:

Metals that are commonly used in the construction industry are steel, bronze, aluminum, brass, and copper. Iron and metal alloys like stainless steel are strong and flexible by nature and are used to support concrete structures of buildings, flyovers, and bridges.

Nickel-based stainless steels are used in public and industrial buildings as they offer a broad range of finishes, design flexibility, strength, and resistance to corrosion. Aluminum is fluid, corrosion resistant, lightweight but strong and it is preferred by architects and designers.

Copper is used in roofs and gutters because of the way it looks and the durability, it offers. Its physical properties like ductility, conductivity and corrosion resistance make it an ideal choice for a wide range of construction projects and have utility in cladding, electrical wiring, and flashing.

Lead is also used in the construction industry, especially in sheet roofing, cladding also useful in conducting heat in flooring, walls, ceilings, car batteries, creating pigments and protection against radiation.

Metals are used in making walls for commercial and residential purposes. They can be molded into various shapes and sizes and designed in innovative ways to provide a safe barrier against extreme weather and destruction. 

Table 1: Metals used in construction 

Metals are used extensively in the medical industry for developing implants, pacemakers, stents, and heart valves. Metals should be non-toxic and biocompatible to be used as implants. Some devices such as femoral hip stems and pacemaker need to be strong while metallic suture wires should be soft and ductile. Here is an overview of metals that can be used to create safe implants.

Table 2: Overview of different types of metals and their uses in medical devices

Metals are also used in detecting and treating several diseases. For instance, they are used in administering chemotherapy to cancer patients. Some metals have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Metals with calcium, magnesium, and aluminum are used as antacids to fight acid peptic disorders. Metals are also included in supplements to fulfill nutritional deficiencies. Mercury, which is stable at high temperatures, is used in thermometers, and finds use in detecting fever by clinicians.
Uses of Metals in Machinery, Refractory, and Automobiles

Metals are extensively used in developing machinery for industrial, agricultural and transportation purposes. Metals like iron, aluminum, and steel have unique properties of being lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant and durable. This is why these metals are used to build trains, aircraft, rockets, etc. that need to be structurally sound and long lasting.
Aluminum is extensively used in building aircrafts, ships, trains, and other automobiles. It is light, resistant to corrosion and minimizes fuel consumption.

Metals like steel, aluminum, and copper are used to manufacture kitchen appliances as they can withstand high temperatures.
Other Uses of Metals

Some metals like silver, gold and platinum are shiny and so these metals are used in jewelry and decorations. Platinum, gold, and silver have significant economic value and are called precious metals.

Table 3: Uses of metals in Machinery, Automobiles and Refractory

Metals are good conductors of electricity and are used in making wires and other equipment that use electric current. Copper is a good conductor of heat and electricity and hence is used in electrical wiring and water heaters. Tungsten glows white-hot and does not melt at that heat and is used as filament for light bulbs. Gold is used in developing some computer parts and silver is often used in making electrical circuits.

Table 4: Uses of Metals in Electronics

Stainless steel is extensively used in the food industry. It is inert and resistant to acids in the food and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures (Heating and freezing). This metal facilitates repeated sterilization.
Other uses of Metals: