Tables showing the properties of metals, and giving the weights of plates, wires, tubes, angles, tees, and sections of various kinds, are to be found in Molesworth's, Hurst's, and other engineering pocket-books, and would be too voluminous for these Notes.

Only one or two tables are therefore inserted, giving the most necessary-information in its simplest form : -

Properties Of Metals

Table showing some of the Properties of useful Metals.

Metal.

Specific gravity.

Weight of a cubic foot in lbs.

Weight as compared with Wrought Iron.

Resistance in tons per sq. inch.

Modulus of elasticity.

Melting point, degrees Fahr.

Expansion between 32° and 212° Fahr.

Tension.

Compression

lbs. persq. inch

Bell metal .

8.0

502

1.04

1.4

Bismuth

9.8

614

1.28

1.45

...

...

507°

•0014

Brass, ordinary - 2 copper, 1 zinc

8.3

519

1.08

13.0

5

9,170,000

1840°

•0019

Copper, cast.

8.6

537

1.12

10..

,, sheet

8.8

550

1.14

13.0

...

...

..

•0017

,, wrought

8.9

556

1.16

15.0

...

15,000,000

1990°

•00179

Gun-metal, 9 copper to 1 tin .

8.5

528

1.10

14.0

50

9,900,000

1900°

•00181

Wrought iron Bar

77

480

1.00

25

16

29,000,000

3280°

•0012

Plate .

7.8

487

1.01

20

24,000,000

Cast

7.2

450

.94

7

38

17,000,000

2700°

•0011

Lead, Cast .

11.35

709

1.47

8

31

..

•0028

Sheet.

11.4

713

1.48

1.5

...

720,000

612°

•0028

Phosphor bronze

..

..

..

26

14,000,000

Platinum

21.5

1344

2.8

...

...

3280°

•0008

Steel, cast, soft

7.8

488

1..1

32

89

30,000,000

3300°

•0012

Tin, cast

7.3

456

•95

2.0

...

...

442°

•0023

Zinc, cast

6.9

428

•89

3.0

...

770°

•0029

Muntz metal

8.2

511

1.06

22

The above Table is compiled from the works of Rankine, Pole, Anderson, Unwin, Moles-worth, and others, who have extended the results of the best experiments up to the present time. The figures given are merely approximate averages - liable to be materially altered by slight alteration in the composition of the metal and other circumstances.

It will be understood that there is great variation in the strength of different descriptions of the same metal. Particulars regarding these are given for the more important metals, such as iron and steel, in the Tables, pp. 317-325.

Contraction Of Metals In Cooling

Table showing the Contraction of different Metals in Casting.

Metal.

Contraction.

In fractions of linear dimensions.

In parts of an unit per inch of linear dimensions.

Cast iron

1/96

1/8

Copper

1/60

1/5

Zinc .

1/48

1/4

Gun metal .

1/72

1/6

Yellow brass

1/64

3/16

Lead .

5/192

5/16