NON-FERROUS MATERIALS:
Latest technology has been highly dependent on non-ferrous and alloys for in specific cases they represent the compensation of high strength and low weight and for specific other cases they surpass the ferrous metals' mechanical strength. In specific cases the non-ferrous metals like aluminium and copper alloys have no alternative in broad range of steel. Electrical conduction and aircraft bodies are illustrations. A jet turbine engine is an excellent illustration of application of these materials. A usual engine of this type comprises 38% titanium, 37% nickel, 12% chromium, 6% cobalt, 1% niobium, 5% aluminium and 0.02% tantalum. Even if steel is the major consumed metal, excellent amounts of non-ferrous metals are coming into desire for electrical, mechanical, elevated temperature and corrosion resistance. In general aluminium alloys are employed for cooking utensils, aircraft bodies and like building materials, copper is utilized as electrical conductor in electrical machines and power transmissions, copper alloys also are utilized at tubing wherever good thermal conductivity is preferred. And there are several other illustrations.
In Table no.16 the prices of several metals was compared along with gold price as base at 1000. Comparing these prices one should be careful that the densities of different metals and their alloy will vary widely. The application of material generally can be seen in the machine and structure like its volume and not as weight. Table compares the prices on weight basis. Table no.16 compares the prices on the basis of both volume and weight.
Table: Comparison of Prices of different Non-ferrous Alloys
|
Metal
|
Price
|
|
Per Volume
|
Per Weight
|
|
Mo alloys
|
3.3 - 4.170
|
6.24 - 7.8
|
|
Ti alloys
|
0.33 - 0.660
|
1.37 - 3.71
|
|
Cu alloys
|
0.083 - 0.166
|
0.30 - 0.36
|
|
Zn alloys
|
0.025 - 0.115
|
0.67 - 0.158
|
|
Stainless steel
|
0.055 - 0.150
|
0.082 - 0.37
|
|
Mg alloys
|
0.032 - 0.640
|
0.31 - 0.74
|
|
Al alloys
|
0.032 - 0.048
|
2.65 - 3.97
|
|
Low alloy steel
|
0.023
|
0.097
|
|
Gray cast iron
|
0.020
|
0.050
|
|
Carbon steels
|
0.0167
|
0.041
|
|
Gold - 1000 (per weight and per volume)
|