The Nature of Metals and Their Derivatives

 

Metals are solid substances with high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, a characteristic metallic luster, malleability, and ductility. They have high density and a high melting point.

The surface of metals is smooth and reflects light. If they are in a powdered state, they lose their luster, except for aluminum and magnesium, which retain it even in this form.

Metals are light gray with bluish tints. Exceptions are gold – with yellowish tints, copper – with a reddish hue, and cesium – with a light yellow color. An interesting property of some metals is that they can dissolve or combine to form alloys.

Alloys are complex elements formed by melting and mixing two or more metals. Some alloys are also formed by mixing metals and non-metals.

Types

The term metal encompasses all elements in this group of substances.

There are various types within the group:

 

1.    Gold

Gold is a soft, heavy, shiny, and malleable metal. It is conductive. It has a yellowish color and an incredible luster. It is a valuable metal, used as a monetary standard.

It is used in jewelry making and the production of various art objects. In human history, gold standards have been the common basis for monetary policy.

 

2.    Platinum

Platinum is an extremely durable element. It is a dense metal that does not combine with oxygen. This precious metal is used for jewelry making and is usually preferred over white gold due to its silvery luster. It is also used as a catalyst, for alloys, for chemical apparatus, in dentistry, in chemical analysis, and so on.

 

3.    Silver

Silver is white and has a beautiful metallic luster. It belongs to the group of precious metals and has the highest electrical conductivity among them. It is quite soft and malleable and can be mechanically processed.

It is used for making jewelry, cutlery, chandeliers, coins, medals, batteries, candlesticks, cups, etc.

 

4.    Copper

Copper is one of the most widely used metals. It has a reddish hue. It is widely used as a conductor of heat and electricity, building material and alloy components. Many vessels are also made of it – copper vessels, used for boiling water or other liquids.

 

5.    Steel

Steel is an alloy made from iron and carbon. It is a strong stainless material widely used in medicine, daily life, and industry. It is used to make medical instruments, utensils, electrical appliances, jewelry, construction equipment, and small construction elements – bolts, nuts, etc.

 

6.    Tin

Tin has been mined and used since the Bronze Age – 3000 BC. The earliest bronze metals contain tin. It is silvery-white, soft, malleable, and has a crystalline structure.

 

7.    Lead

Lead is a gray-white, soft metal with a strong luster. It is obtained from the minerals galena, cerussite, and anglesite. One of the most important properties of lead is that it shields against radioactive rays. It is used to make protective vests for X-ray imaging.

It is also used as a coloring element in ceramic paints, for making weapons, producing bullets, high-voltage cables, and lead-acid batteries.

 

8.    Aluminum

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. It is soft, malleable, silvery-white, and non-magnetic. It is extremely light and resistant to corrosion, making it a primary material in aviation, transportation, and construction.

It is also used in metallurgy for obtaining some metals. Mirrors are made from it using aluminum foil. In medicine, it is used to make prosthetics.

 

9.    Iron

Iron is a metal with a silvery-gray shiny surface. When exposed to air, it becomes covered with rust, a red or brown iron oxide.

 

10. Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron with a small amount of carbon and other metals and can be up to 1000 times harder than pure iron.

 

11. Zinc

Zinc is a chemical element with electrochemical properties. It has been known to humanity as copper alloy – brass. Today, it is used to produce batteries and alloys.

 

Applications

 

1.    As Conductors

Metals are good conductors of electrical current. This is thanks to the free electrons that move under the influence of an electric field. Some of the best conductors are silver, copper, gold and aluminum.

 

2.    In Jewelry Making

Most types of metals find wide application in jewelry production. Stainless steel is among the most preferred materials to wear. Jewelry made from high-quality steel does not tarnish or cause allergies and is gentle on the skin.

Steel is used to make adornments – earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants in various shapes and sizes, and additional crystals and stones can be added for sparkle. Jewelry made from silver is also among the best-selling and most sought-after. Silver is a precious metal with a purity of 92.5. It is used to make all kinds of jewelry – earrings, necklaces, chains, pendants, bracelets.

The material looks extremely beautiful due to its luster. It can also be combined with various types of crystals and natural stones.

Gold, on the other hand, is among the most valued precious metals for jewelry production. Like platinum, it does not cause allergies and has an extremely beautiful, lustrous surface.

Gold is also highly valued as a gift and carries great value. It is used to make all kinds of jewelry – earrings, necklaces, brooches, bracelets, pendants, chains.

 

3.    Application of Metals in Applied Arts

Metal elements also find application in applied arts. Aluminum and other types of metal are used to make various small elements, such as animals, plants, insects, horseshoes, metal feathers, buttons, etc., which can be used in creating various types of art products.

They can be included in the making of cards, invitations, scrapbooking, collages of various themes. From different figurines, you can make great accessories for bags, wallets, and jewelry, as there is a vast abundance of aluminum pendants and beads. Unleash your imagination and creativity.

Metal elements are so diverse that with them you can create even home decorations. One of the most sought-after home adornments is the horseshoe. It brings luck and protects the home from evil.

It is one of the most popular metal crafts. It is hung above the entrance door. Among the original accessories with practical application are bookmarks. They are made of lightweight aluminum, in an original vintage style.

Metal elements are an ideal way to decorate your creations. They will give an original look to any card, invitation or photo frame.

If you want to include such accessories in your projects, you can draw inspiration from art tutorials and videos online.

Prices

The EM ART team strives to maintain the lowest and most competitive prices on the market. You can shop retail and wholesale with us. For wholesale traders, we have prepared preferential prices.

Why EM ART?

At the EM ART online store, you will find the largest variety of creative materials needed for every art enthusiast.

We offer a unique assortment of materials for making martenitsa, a rich selection of natural stones, hobby, craft, and art materials, jewelry and stringing accessories, all types of tools for applied arts, decoration materials, and packaging.

 

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