Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Unit 7 Construction Materials—Types and Uses 119 Nonferrous Metals Aluminum. Pure aluminum and aluminum alloys are used in many building applications where resistance to corrosion is important. Aluminum that is 99% pure is soft and ductile, and therefore weak. Aluminum is typi- cally used in such building applications as flashing, downspouts, some kinds of roofing, doors and trim, and mullions for windows. Aluminum also is made as an alloy with copper added for strength and casting uniformity. Aluminum alloys are made in structural shapes for use as H-beams, I-beams, and angles. Aluminum is also used for some ductwork, screens, and electrical wiring. Copper. Copper and copper alloys have a high elec- trical conductivity and are resistant to corrosion. This metal is typically used in construction for water distri- bution, electrical wiring, and flashing. The particular metal would be indicated on the drawing as a note and most likely detailed in the specifications. Brass. This metal is widely used for door and window hardware, trim, grilles, and railings. Brass is copper with zinc as its principal alloy element. Bronze. A copper-tin alloy, bronze also can contain various other elements, such as aluminum or silicon. Bronze resists corrosion and is widely used for orna- mental architectural products. Division 05—Metals Metal is used extensively in the construction industry. Large commercial buildings use structural steel. Construction jobs make use of metal windows, doors, studs, beams, joists, wall facings, roofing, plumbing, and hardware. Kinds of Metals Metals can be divided into two categories, ferrous and nonferrous. Ferrous metals contain iron as a principal element, and usually have magnetic properties. They typically have more strength than nonferrous metals. Nonferrous metals contain no iron and do not have magnetic properties. They are typically lighter and less strong than ferrous metals. Ferrous Metals Iron. Iron is malleable, ductile, magnetic, and silver white in color. There are many kinds of iron, such as pig iron, cast iron, and wrought iron. Iron is one of the principal ingredients of steel. Steel. Steel is an iron-based alloy with a carbon content ranging from 0.2% to 2.0%. Depending on the intended use, steel has many chemical compositions. Carbon steel, alloy steel, mild steel, medium steel, tool steel, spring steel, and stainless steel are a few of the varieties available. By varying the carbon content, steel can be made harder and stronger, but it also becomes more brittle. Adding chromium, nickel, and magnesium will make the metal highly resistant to corrosion. Delhi Flower and Garden Center Arch/Image 2 Architects Pinnacle Engineering Services, Inc. Figure 7-16. Detail showing a bond beam in a concrete masonry unit wall.