Metals & Alloys
Find information about the chemistry of metals and alloys, including compositions, mechanical properties, reactions, chemical properties, uses, and mining.
Metals List
Most elements are metals. This group includes the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, basic metals, and rare earth elements.
Most elements are metals. This group includes the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, basic metals, and rare earth elements.
Metal Quiz
Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.
Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.
Alkali Metals
Find out what distinguishes the alkali metals from other metals. Common characteristics are clearly identified.
Find out what distinguishes the alkali metals from other metals. Common characteristics are clearly identified.
Alkaline Earth Metals
The alkaline earths or alkaline earth metals possess properties that distinguish them from other metals. Learn more about this group of elements.
The alkaline earths or alkaline earth metals possess properties that distinguish them from other metals. Learn more about this group of elements.
Chemistry Fun with Pennies
Use pennies, nails, and a few simple household ingredients to explore some of the interesting properties of metals. Clean the pennies chemically, make verdigris, and plate the nails with copper.
Use pennies, nails, and a few simple household ingredients to explore some of the interesting properties of metals. Clean the pennies chemically, make verdigris, and plate the nails with copper.
Copper Plating Christmas Ornament
Copper plate a holiday decoration as a Christmas ornament or for other decorative uses.
Copper plate a holiday decoration as a Christmas ornament or for other decorative uses.
Element Photos
You probably know what elemental carbon looks like (think diamond or graphite), but you might not know what indium or cadmium look like. Here's a collection of photographs of the elements to help you out.
You probably know what elemental carbon looks like (think diamond or graphite), but you might not know what indium or cadmium look like. Here's a collection of photographs of the elements to help you out.
Gold Alloys
None of the gold used in jewelry is pure gold. Some gold isn't even 'gold'-colored (e.g., white gold). The different colors are due to the presence of other metals alloyed with the gold. This table gives common compositions of the different colors of gold.
None of the gold used in jewelry is pure gold. Some gold isn't even 'gold'-colored (e.g., white gold). The different colors are due to the presence of other metals alloyed with the gold. This table gives common compositions of the different colors of gold.
Gold and Silver Pennies
Take copper-colored pennies and turn then silver, then make them gold. This is an easy chemistry project that uses common laboratory chemicals.
Take copper-colored pennies and turn then silver, then make them gold. This is an easy chemistry project that uses common laboratory chemicals.
Hollow Penny Project
This is an easy chemistry project that uses common materials. You take a post-1982 penny, score the copper surface to expose the zinc interior, react the zinc with acid, and are left with a hollow copper penny.
This is an easy chemistry project that uses common materials. You take a post-1982 penny, score the copper surface to expose the zinc interior, react the zinc with acid, and are left with a hollow copper penny.
How Does Stainless Steel Remove Odors?
Have you heard about the kitchen tip in which you rub your fingers across the blade of a stainless steel knife to remove odors from onions, garlic, and fish? You have now! Learn about the chemistry behind this interesting bit of cooking magic.
Have you heard about the kitchen tip in which you rub your fingers across the blade of a stainless steel knife to remove odors from onions, garlic, and fish? You have now! Learn about the chemistry behind this interesting bit of cooking magic.
How to Make Liquid Magnets - Synthesize Ferrofluid
Make your own ferrofluid, or liquid magnet, which can be used with a magnet to change the liquid's density and to form spikes and other amazing shapes.
Make your own ferrofluid, or liquid magnet, which can be used with a magnet to change the liquid's density and to form spikes and other amazing shapes.
Lanthanides and Actinides - The Rare Earths
Learn about the properties of the rare earth metals. This 3-part article includes an overview of the rare earths and separate sections for the lanthanide series and actinide series.
Learn about the properties of the rare earth metals. This 3-part article includes an overview of the rare earths and separate sections for the lanthanide series and actinide series.
Metal Jewelry Stamps & Marks
Jewelry made from precious metals often is stamped with a mark to indicate the chemical composition of the metal. These stamps or engravings are called quality marks. Here's a look at what different quality marks signify. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.
Jewelry made from precious metals often is stamped with a mark to indicate the chemical composition of the metal. These stamps or engravings are called quality marks. Here's a look at what different quality marks signify. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.
Metalloids or Semimetals
Get information about the characteristics of the semimetals. Links are provided for other types of elements.
Get information about the characteristics of the semimetals. Links are provided for other types of elements.
The Metals
Learn about the group chemistry of metals, including their common properties and locations on the Periodic Table.
Learn about the group chemistry of metals, including their common properties and locations on the Periodic Table.
Tin Crystal Growing Instructions
It's easy to grow crystals of tin metal using a simple replacement reaction. You can see the crystals in an hour or so, or leave them overnight for more/larger crystals.
It's easy to grow crystals of tin metal using a simple replacement reaction. You can see the crystals in an hour or so, or leave them overnight for more/larger crystals.
Transition Metals
Get information about the properties of the transition elements, also called the transition metals.
Get information about the properties of the transition elements, also called the transition metals.
What Makes Lead Poisonous?
You probably know that lead is toxic, but do you know what makes it poisonous? Here's an explanation of what lead does in your body that makes it such a health hazard.
You probably know that lead is toxic, but do you know what makes it poisonous? Here's an explanation of what lead does in your body that makes it such a health hazard.
Why is Stainless Steel Stainless?
Learn about the chemistry of stainless steel. This article also includes descriptions of the different types of stainless steels, comments on passivation, and numerous links to sites offering related information.
Learn about the chemistry of stainless steel. This article also includes descriptions of the different types of stainless steels, comments on passivation, and numerous links to sites offering related information.
Aluminium Basics
From the International Aluminium Institute, what is aluminium, where does it come from, and how much is produced? The site also contains information about manufacturing processes.
From the International Aluminium Institute, what is aluminium, where does it come from, and how much is produced? The site also contains information about manufacturing processes.
Composition of Gold Alloys
None of the gold used in jewelry is pure gold. Some gold isn't even 'gold'-colored (e.g., white gold). The different colors are due to the presence of other metals alloyed with the gold. This table gives common compositions of the different colors of gold.
None of the gold used in jewelry is pure gold. Some gold isn't even 'gold'-colored (e.g., white gold). The different colors are due to the presence of other metals alloyed with the gold. This table gives common compositions of the different colors of gold.
Copper Page
Publication from the copper and brass industry.
Publication from the copper and brass industry.
Deciphering Precious Metal Quality Marks
Fu T'sang Treasures presents this page, which lists and defines quality marks for precious metals. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.
Fu T'sang Treasures presents this page, which lists and defines quality marks for precious metals. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.
Metals & Alloys Used in Piercings and Body Jewelry
A metal that makes a great necklace could cause serious problems in your belly button! Learn about the metals and alloys that can (and can't) be safely used to make body jewelry.
A metal that makes a great necklace could cause serious problems in your belly button! Learn about the metals and alloys that can (and can't) be safely used to make body jewelry.
Effects of Chemicals on Aluminum Surfaces
Chemicals that are corrosive, pitting, or non-reactive. From U.S. Electrical Motors.
Chemicals that are corrosive, pitting, or non-reactive. From U.S. Electrical Motors.
Marine Cargo Tank Chemistry
Reactions occurring between seawater, tanks, and boilers, and anti-corrosion treatments. From Metal Treatment Technology.
Reactions occurring between seawater, tanks, and boilers, and anti-corrosion treatments. From Metal Treatment Technology.
Metals
This is a comprehensive About.com website devoted to... you guessed it! Metals! The metallurgy and supplier sections are especially relevant to inorganic chemistry.
This is a comprehensive About.com website devoted to... you guessed it! Metals! The metallurgy and supplier sections are especially relevant to inorganic chemistry.
Platinum Metals Review
Full text publication for those with interests in the technology and utilization of platinum group metals.
Full text publication for those with interests in the technology and utilization of platinum group metals.
Short History of Metals and Metallurgy
Introduction to some metallic elements and their properties. From Alan W. Cramb, Carnegie Mellon University.
Introduction to some metallic elements and their properties. From Alan W. Cramb, Carnegie Mellon University.
Stainless Steel Information Center
Introduction to chemistry of this product. From the Specialty Steel Industry of North America.
Introduction to chemistry of this product. From the Specialty Steel Industry of North America.
Standard Designations for Copper and Copper Alloys
Introduction to the Unified Numbering System (UNS) for wrought and cast copper and copper alloy products and lists of designations and compositions.
Introduction to the Unified Numbering System (UNS) for wrought and cast copper and copper alloy products and lists of designations and compositions.
Synthetic Metals
Organic polymers and other non-traditional metallic compounds. Requires paid subscription.
Organic polymers and other non-traditional metallic compounds. Requires paid subscription.
Transition Metal Chemistry
Preparation and properties. Requires paid subscription.
Preparation and properties. Requires paid subscription.
Uranium Information Centre
Business and science aspects concerning this source of nuclear power.
Business and science aspects concerning this source of nuclear power.