Metals - Key Words

Alloy A substance formed by the combination of two or more elements one of which must be a metal. Examples are steel, brass and bronze.
Aluminium Transition element, very useful as it is both light, resistant to corrosion and strong. Most useful when alloyed.
Blast Furnace Machine used for converting iron ore into iron
Brittle  
Carbon Very useful non metal. Small amounts of carbon are mixed with iron to make the alloy steel.
Coke Form of carbon used in a blast furnace to reduce iron ore
Dense  
Displacement reaction A reaction where a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive one in a compound
Ductile  
Electrolysis When an electric current flows through a solution causing a chemical reaction
Hard  
Iron Very useful transition element, particularly when alloyed to form steel
Limestone A rock mostly made of calcium carbonate. It has many uses. It is used in the production of iron in a blast furnace.
Malleable  
Ore  
Reactivity How readily an element takes part in a chemical reaction. Sodium is a very reactive metal. Gold is very unreactive.
Shape Memory Alloy This metal returns to its original shape after being bent. Some spectacle frames are made from nitinol, a shape memory alloy.
Slag A waste product from the production of iron in a blast furnace.
Steel A very useful alloy
Strong  
Transition Element