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Glossary

alloy

A metal composed of two or more chemical elements, of which at least one is a metal.

alloy steel  

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, but a number of steels can have many different elements alloyed with them and grouped under the category of "alloy steels." Nickel, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium may be added in amounts up to a total of about 5% to increase toughness or to increase strength at high temperatures.

anneal

Heating and controlled cooling of a material to remove stress. This changes the material's properties, making it softer and more ductile.

brittle

A metal that fractures with little deformation when subjected to stress.

ductile

The degree to which a metal can bend and stretch without breaking (i.e., stainless steel). Note that ductile is different from malleable.

extruded 

Formed by drawing or pushing through a die such as wire or aluminum angle.

ferrous

Metals or alloys that contain 5% or more of iron. Steel and stainless steel are considered ferrous metals.

forge

To shaping a metal by hammering when hot.

hardening 

A process of heating and quenching of metal, like high carbon steel, to increase its hardness. Mild steel cannot be hardened because of the low carbon content.

hardness

The degree to which a metal can endure mechanical indentation or abrasion without deformation.

heat treating

Applying heat to a metal to change its properties. For example, the hardness of a metal can be changed with heating and cooling.

malleable

The degree to which a substance can be shaped or formed by hammering or rolling. A malleable material may be bent without breaking. Note that malleable is different from ductile.

non-ferrous

Metals or alloys that contain less than 5% iron and in most cases, contain no iron (i.e., aluminum, copper, zinc, and lead). Examples of non-ferrous alloys are bronze and brass.

oxide

A chemical compound formed by metal and oxygen. Oxides can forms on metals when they're exposed to oxygen.

strain hardening

See work hardening.

temper

A process that will allow a metal to retain an edge (i.e., knives). Related to hardness.

tensile strength

The strength different materials display when placed under tension. In the imperial system, tensile strength is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).

toughness

The ability of a metal to not tear or shear easily, but instead to stretch without breaking.

work hardening

A process of hardening a material by means of forming. Bending or rolling done without heating will harden the material. The degree of hardening depends on the process and material. Each time we form a piece of metal, it becomes "work hardened" or "strain hardened" in the area of the forming.

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