02-05-2012, 05:07 PM
Non-Ferrous Metals .
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Non-ferrous metals are those which do not contain iron. In general they have excellent resistance to corrosion. Copper, reputed to be the first metal used by mankind, includes some very useful and interesting properties, it is malleable and ductile. It is for this reason is was of such interest to our ancestors. Another non-ferrous metal, aluminium, has only featured in engineering terms in the last 75 years.
Copper
Copper as an engineering metal came to prominence during the industrial revolution, up to then it was considered only for its decorative value and utensils value and on roofing.
Properties of copper include
Malleability - the ability to be beaten or rolled into shape.
Ductility - The ability to be drawn into shape as in the manufacture of copper wire.
Copper is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Copper production in modern times
Copper production has a strong link with an Irishman called Marcus Daly, from Co. Cavan. As a consequence of his mining in Montana USA he was the first to exploit the metal when he sent a shipment to Wales for smelting just at the time when it was becoming a prominent metal in the electrical industry. He was really trying to find a better use for the mineral which was a by-product of the silver mines in the region.
The production of copper.
There are three distinct stages to the production of copper;
1 Copper ‘Matte’ - The first stage of the production of copper is with matte. It is a mixture of 30% to 40% copper. Ore is first concentrated at the mining site by crushing and then leaching or floatation.
The ore is then roasted or smelted in an oil fired furnace at a temperature below the melting point of copper, [1083oC]
The resultant matte contains high levels of sulphur and iron from the chalcopyrite (Cu Fe S2)
2 Converting - Iron and sulphur are removed by blowing air through the molten matte in a converter vessel, similar to the Bessemer converter. The matte is placed in the converter and held at the temperature for about 8 hours.Blowing continues until only copper sulphide remains. This is what is referred to as ‘Blister Copper’. It is up to 99% pure. This is then refined by further heating to remove the oxygen. It is then cast into ingots known as ‘Anodes’.
[attachment=21097]
Non-ferrous metals are those which do not contain iron. In general they have excellent resistance to corrosion. Copper, reputed to be the first metal used by mankind, includes some very useful and interesting properties, it is malleable and ductile. It is for this reason is was of such interest to our ancestors. Another non-ferrous metal, aluminium, has only featured in engineering terms in the last 75 years.
Copper
Copper as an engineering metal came to prominence during the industrial revolution, up to then it was considered only for its decorative value and utensils value and on roofing.
Properties of copper include
Malleability - the ability to be beaten or rolled into shape.
Ductility - The ability to be drawn into shape as in the manufacture of copper wire.
Copper is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Copper production in modern times
Copper production has a strong link with an Irishman called Marcus Daly, from Co. Cavan. As a consequence of his mining in Montana USA he was the first to exploit the metal when he sent a shipment to Wales for smelting just at the time when it was becoming a prominent metal in the electrical industry. He was really trying to find a better use for the mineral which was a by-product of the silver mines in the region.
The production of copper.
There are three distinct stages to the production of copper;
1 Copper ‘Matte’ - The first stage of the production of copper is with matte. It is a mixture of 30% to 40% copper. Ore is first concentrated at the mining site by crushing and then leaching or floatation.
The ore is then roasted or smelted in an oil fired furnace at a temperature below the melting point of copper, [1083oC]
The resultant matte contains high levels of sulphur and iron from the chalcopyrite (Cu Fe S2)
2 Converting - Iron and sulphur are removed by blowing air through the molten matte in a converter vessel, similar to the Bessemer converter. The matte is placed in the converter and held at the temperature for about 8 hours.Blowing continues until only copper sulphide remains. This is what is referred to as ‘Blister Copper’. It is up to 99% pure. This is then refined by further heating to remove the oxygen. It is then cast into ingots known as ‘Anodes’.