Metals & Alloys

Most elements are metals. This group includes the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, basic metals, and rare earth elements.

This is an alphabetical list of alloys grouped according to the base metal of the alloy.

Did you know metals could grow as crystals? Some of these crystals are exceedingly beautiful and some can be grown at home or in a standard chemistry lab. This is a collection of photos of metal crystals, with links to instructions for growing metal crystals.

Have you ever wondered where the transition elements got their name? It's not like they are a transition between nonmetals and metals or between one type of metal and another. Here's a look at the reason for the name.

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Here's a look at what makes mercury different from other metals.

Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.

Find out what distinguishes the alkali metals from other metals. Common characteristics are clearly identified.

The alkaline earths or alkaline earth metals possess properties that distinguish them from other metals. Learn more about this group of elements.

This is an iron-carbon phase diagram for carbon steel which shows the condition under which the phases are stable.

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 plate a holiday decoration as a Christmas ornament or for other decorative uses.

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.

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.

Take copper-colored pennies and turn then silver, then make them gold. This is an easy chemistry project that uses common laboratory chemicals.

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.

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.

Mercury is an extremely toxic metal that is found in fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermometers, and other household items. If you break a thermometer or a mercury-containing bulb, it's important to dispose of the mercury properly so that you don't accidentally poison yourself or contaminate the area with mercury.

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.

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.

The activity series of metals is an empirical tool used to predict products and reactivity of metals with water and acids in replacement reactions and ore extraction.

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.

Learn what is meant by the metallic character of an element and how metallic character changes as you move across a period or down a group in the periodic table.

Get information about the characteristics of the semimetals. Links are provided for other types of elements.

Sterling silver is a popular metal for jewelry, silverware and decorations. Here is a look at the chemical composition of sterling silver.

Learn about the group chemistry of metals, including their common properties and locations on the Periodic Table.

The thermite reaction is a highly exothermic reaction in which metal essentially burns. The thermite reaction has practical applications, such as for welding, plus it makes for a memorable chemistry demonstration. Here's how you can perform the thermite reaction, safely.

Find out what a heavy metal is and get examples of heavy metals.

Learn about tin cry. Find out what tin cry is and why it occurs. Also, here is a demo in which you can make tin cry repeatedly.

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.

Here is a look at what tin pest is, what causes and tin pest, and some historical significance of the phenomenon.

Get information about the properties of the transition elements, also called the transition metals.

What do you think Olympic medals are made of? Are the gold medals really gold? They used to be solid gold, but now Olympic gold medals are made from something else. Here's a look at the metal composition of Olympic medals and how the medals have changed over time.

The Nobel Prize medal looks like gold, but what is it really made of? Here's the answer to this common question about the composition of the Nobel Prize medal.

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.

White gold is a popular metal for jewelry. Have you ever wondered what white gold is made of? Here's a look at the chemical composition of white gold and some of the properties of white gold.

Did you know all white gold is plated with another metal to make it the shiny white color that it is? Here's a look at what white gold is plated with and why it is plated in the first place.

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.

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.

Publication from the copper and brass industry.

Fu T'sang Treasures presents this page, which lists and defines quality marks for precious metals. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.

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.

Chemicals that are corrosive, pitting, or non-reactive. From U.S. Electrical Motors.

Reactions occurring between seawater, tanks, and boilers, and anti-corrosion treatments. From Metal Treatment Technology.

This is a comprehensive About.com website devoted to... you guessed it! Metals! The metallurgy and supplier sections are especially relevant to inorganic chemistry.

Full text publication for those with interests in the technology and utilization of platinum group metals.

Introduction to some metallic elements and their properties. From Alan W. Cramb, Carnegie Mellon University.

Introduction to chemistry of this product. From the Specialty Steel Industry of North America.

Introduction to the Unified Numbering System (UNS) for wrought and cast copper and copper alloy products and lists of designations and compositions.

Preparation and properties. Requires paid subscription.