321 Chapter Opening Image. The aluminum, copper, and bronze parts pictured here offer a sampling of the many uses of nonferrous metals. The unique properties of nonferrous metals make them ideal for certain applications. -Taurus-/Shutterstock.com LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying this chapter, you will be able to: • Describe the common atomic cell structures in different metals. • Summarize the effects of hot-working on nonferrous metals. • Summarize the effects of cold-working on nonferrous metals. • Describe three ways to strengthen a nonferrous alloy. • Recognize how precipitation hardening increases the strength of nonferrous alloys. • Describe how galvanic corrosion affects nonferrous metals. • Identify the basic processing methods used for nonferrous metals. • Explain how different processing methods of nonferrous metals can improve cast properties. TECHNICAL TERMS anodized artificial aging back extrusion body-centered tetragonal (bct) braze-clad sheet brine coherent precipitates cold-chamber die casting die casting electric discharge machining (EDM) flash fusion welding galvanic corrosion heat checking high vacuum hot-chamber die casting hot isostatic pressing (HIP) isostatic liquation natural aging oil diffusion pump overaging precipitates recovery roll bonding semisolid metal (SSM) casting short shot solid solution alloy solutionized solutionizing temperature thixotropic behavior torr warm work Introduction Applications of nonferrous metals exist because each nonferrous metal offers fundamentally different properties that better suit each application than another metal would. Those properties come from the atomic characteristics of the elements, the alloy composition, and the processing to achieve a microstructure that “causes” the desired properties. The UNS numbering system, Figure 15-1, defines the composition of all commercial alloys, including nonferrous metals. The linkage of composition, processing, and microstructure to properties, Figure 15-2, is as important for nonferrous metals as for ferrous alloys. This chapter shows how nonferrous metals use atomic structure, composition, and microstructure to develop physical properties. Chapters 4, 5, and 10 provide a “prequel” for this chapter, which also reviews metallurgical processes. The procedures used for many nonferrous alloys are very similar to those used for steel, especially non-heat-treated steel. This chapter explains how these methods can make useful products from nonferrous metals. The remaining chapters explain how the metallurgical principles apply to the industrial production of nonferrous metal products.