Page 246 - Mechanical Engineer's Data Handbook

234 MECHANICAL ENGINEER’S DATA HANDBOOK

Lead-tin alloys resistance to creep and is used for gas turbine discs and
blades, and combustion chambers. Strong up to
These are used as ‘soft solders’, often with a little 900 “C.
antimony for strength.
Platinum
Tinman’s solder Approximately 2 parts of tin to 1
part of lead. Used for electrical jointing and tinplate- A soft ductile white metal with exceptional resistance
can sealing. to corrosion and chemical attack. Platinum and its
Plumber’s solder Approximately 2 parts of lead to 1 alloys are widely used for electrical contacts, electrodes
part of tin. Used for wiping lead pipe joints. and resistance wire.
Type metal Contains about 25% tin, with lead and
some antimony. Has negligible shrinkage. Silver
Bearing metal Lead based ‘white metal’ contains
lead, tin, antimony and copper, etc. A ductile malleable metal with exceptional thermal
and electrical conductivity. It resists most chemicals
Magnesium but tarnishes in a sulphurous atmosphere. It is used for
electrical contacts, plating, bearing linings and as an
A very light metal, only one-quarter the weight of steel alloying element.
and two-thirds that of aluminium, but not easily cold
worked. Usually alloyed with up to 10% aluminium
and often small amounts of manganese, zinc and Tin
zirconium. Used for aircraft and internal combustion
engine parts, nuclear fuel cans and sand and die A low-melting-point metal with silvery appearance
castings. Magnesium and its alloys corrode less in and high corrosion resistance. It is used for tinplate,
normal temperatures than does steel. bearing alloys and solder.

Manganese Titanium
A silvery white hard brittle metal present in most An expensive metal with low density, high strength
steels. It is used in manganese bronze and high nickel and excellent corrosion resistance. It is used in the
alloys and to improve corrosion resistance in mag- aircraft industry, generally alloyed with up to 10%
nesium alloys. aluminium with some manganese, vanadium and tin.
Titanium is very heat resistant.
Nickel
Tungsten
Nickel has high corrosion resistance. It is used for
chemical plant, coating steel plate and electroplating A heavy refractory steel-grey metal which can only be
as a base for chromium. Nickel is used for many steel, produced in shapes by powder metallurgy (m.p.
iron and non-ferrous alloys. 3410 “C). It is used as an alloying element in tool and
die steels and in tungsten carbide tool tips. It is also
Nickel-base alloys used in permanent magnets.

Monel Used for steam turbine blades and chemical Zinc
plant. Composition: 68%Ni, 3o%cu, 2%0Fe.
Inconel Good at elevated temperatures, e.g. for Pure zinc has a melting point of only 400 “C so is good
cooker heater sheaths. Composition: 8O%Ni, 14%Cr, for die casting, usually with 1-2%0Cu and 4%A1 to
6YoFe. increase strength. Used for carburettors, fuel pumps,
Nimonic A series of alloys based on 70-80%Ni, with door handles, toys, etc., and also for galvanizing sheet
small amounts of Ti, Co, Fe, A1 and C. Has high steel, nails and wire, and in bronze.