Know the 3 Types of Metal Testing and Their Functions in Industry

Talking about metal, there are many objects around us, such as toys, computers, and jewelry, which use these materials as their constituents. In the industrial world, before being used, metal testing will be carried out first. Where the tests carried out consist of 3 types, namely hardness tests, tensile tests and compressive tests.

As the most abundant element on earth, metals are divided into several types and have different properties and uses. To date, there are 65 types of metals that occur naturally on earth but there are still few that can be used in a proper way.

Metal Definition

Metal is a chemical element with strong properties, tough, conducts electricity and heat, hard, and has a high melting point. Metal ores are found by mining in a pure or mixed state. For metal ores found in a pure state, examples are platinum, gold, silver, and bismuth.

In addition, some are mixed with carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon and also impurities such as sand, clay, and soil. After getting the metal ore from the mining process, the next process the metal ore is broken as big as a fist.

After that, proceed with the selection of metal elements and then washed with water to remove dirt. The drying process is carried out by roasting to remove moisture. Of the 65 types of metal that can be used only 20 types of metal either stand alone or part of the alloy.

For the types of metals that are around us such as:

• Platinum. This one metal is silvery white with easy to shape properties and can also be used as jewelry, electronics or used as a catalyst.
• Plutonium. This radioactive metal is produced by bombarding uranium in nuclear reactors and is also used in nuclear weapons.
• Mercury. Mercury is a type of metal in the form of a silvery white heavy liquid and is toxic. It is commonly used in thermometers, toothpicks and is also used in some explosives.

Metal Testing Function

As mentioned above, in the industrial field before metal is used, it will certainly pass metal testing first.

Metal testing is indeed important to do because its function is to determine the quality of the finished metal and is ready for use. Before understanding more about metal testing, it is important for you to know also how the metal properties.

1. Strong when forged and stretchable

Each metal has a different layer and arrangement of atoms. The more symmetrical the atomic arrangement is, the more easily the metal is stretched and malleable.

2. The durability is strong

The strength of each metal can continue to increase by being mixed with other metals. Not only that, metals can also be mixed with non-metallic elements. Usually this mixture is used for building construction, bridges, and the automotive industry.

3. Good conductor

Metal is usually also often used as the basic material for making electrical cables because metal does have the property of releasing electrons. So it can drain electricity easily. This is the reason why metals are called good conductors.

4. Can conduct heat

Besides being able to conduct electricity, metal is also a fast conductor of heat from one side to the other. This is because the electrons in the metal will increase their kinetic energy faster when they receive heat.

Metal Testing Type

In metal testing, there are several methods that are usually used, such as Destructive Test, Non-Destructive Test, and Metallography.

To understand better, see the full explanation of these three methods that are often used in conducting metal testing, including:

1. Destructive Test

This one method is metal testing that causes damage to the metal being tested. The purpose of this test method is to determine the resistance of the material by being damaged using test equipment. The trick is pulled, pressed, or bent so that the quality can be known.

2. Non-Destructive Test

This test method is used to determine whether the metal material being tested is still safe or has passed the damage limit. This NDT is carried out at least twice, namely during fabrication and at the end of the fabrication process and is carried out within a certain period of time.

3. Metallography

This method studies the structure, metal topography, metal phase, metal distribution, metal grain size, and also metal properties.

This method is carried out in two ways, namely macro testing and micro testing. Macro testing is done with the eyes open and micro testing must use an electron microscope.

As one of the important elements in everyday life, metal testing is important to do. This aims to prevent accidents and other things due to the wrong choice of metal type.

Well, hopefully the information above can help you to understand more about metal and its testing process. If you need a consultant or material testing, you can contact PT Detech Professional Indonesia.