UNIT 5

METALS

Reading

 Before you read

1. Discuss the pictures in the small groups.

a. Mention types of metals that you know?
b. What are the properties of metals?

2. Vocabulary Preview
Learn the meaning of these vocabulary items from the reading.
Nouns Verbs Adjectives Phrases

achievement resemble prehistoric in the palm of a hand

oxidation stretch ferrous
rarity surround non-ferrous
density base
strength noble
metalloid precious
concrete brittle
considerable
 Read

3. Read the following material quickly.

METALS, ALLOYS, PLASTICS

The discovery of metal was one of the most

significant achievements of prehistoric times. Pieces of
hammered copper and lead dating from about 6000 BC
are known to have been found in southern Turkey.
There are different kinds of metals. They can be
divided into various groups: ferrous and nonferrous;
base, noble and precious. Noble metals are metals that
are resistant to corrosion or oxidation, unlike most base metals. They tend to be precious
metals, often due to perceived rarity. Examples include tantalum, gold, platinum, and
rhodium. Certain elements resemble metals, but are brittle and do not conduct heat and
electricity as well. These elements are called semimetals, or metalloids.
The physical properties of most metals include high density, and high strength.
Most metals also have great plasticity: they can change their shape without breaking.
Metals also have considerable elasticity. A metal spring can be stretched, for example, but
when the load is removed, it contracts to its original length. About three quarters of all the
known chemical elements are metals. There is such a variety that not all metals can be
described by a single definition. Sodium and potassium, for example, are soft enough to
be cut with a knife. Gallium's melting point is so low (85.6 º F, or 29.8 º C) that it melts in
the palm of a hand. Several metals, including uranium, thorium, and radium, are
radioactive.
The electronic structure of metals explains many of their properties.
Heat is a phenomenon involving whole atoms. In solid metals, the atoms
are arranged in a regular structure. When the metal is heated, the atoms vibrate, influencing
their neighbors to vibrate as well. Metals are malleable and ductile because sheets of these
atoms can slip gradually past one another.
Why does man use metals still so much today when there are other materials,
especially plastics, which are available? A material is generally used because it offers the
required strength, and other properties, at minimum cost. Appearance is also an important
factor. The main advantage of metals is their strength and toughness. Concrete may be
cheaper and is often used in building, but even concrete depends on its core of steel for
strength.
Plastics are lighter and more corrosion – resistant, but they are not usually as strong.
Another problem with plastics is what to do with them after use. Metal objects can often
be broken down and metal recycled; plastics can only be dumped or burned.
Not all metals are strong, however. Copper and aluminum, for example, are both fairly
weak but if they are mixed together, the result is an alloy called aluminum bronze, which
 is much stronger than either pure copper or pure aluminum. Alloying is an important
method of obtaining whatever special properties as required: strength, toughness,
resistance to wear, magnetic properties, high electrical resistance, or corrosion resistance.
The properties of metals can be further improved by use of heat treatment. Heat
treatment is the term given to a number of different procedures in which the properties of
metals and alloys to a selected temperature below its melting point and then cooling it at
a certain rate to obtain those properties, which are required. For example, hardening is
used to make metal harder. Tempering makes them softer and less brittle. Annealing is
carried out to make a metal soft so that it can be machined more easily. It this way, metallic
materials can be produced to meet every kind of engineering specifications and
requirements.
When Concorde was built, a material was needed which could withstand extreme
aerodynamic conditions and would have a life of at least 45.000 flying hours. To achieve
this, a special aluminum alloy was developed which is tough and lightweight and is used
in over 70% of Concorde’s structure. Another 16% is made of high – strength steel, and
titanium alloys are used in the engine surrounds to withstand temperatures of 4000 degrees
centigrade.
Taken from: http://doclecture.net

 After you read

4. Study the following statements and decide whether they are True (T) or
False (F)
1. Noble metals are never precious metals. (___)
1. Metalloids are brittle elements resembling metals and conducting heat (___)
and electricity.
2. The physical properties of most metals include high density, (___)
high strength, little plasticity and considerable elasticity.
3. Concrete isn’t an inexpensive building material. (___)
4. Plastics are more easily recycled than metals. (___)
5. Aluminum bronze is an example of an alloy of copper. (___)
6. Pure copper is stronger than the alloys that are made by (___)
mixing copper with aluminum.
7. Tempering is a kind of heat treatment used to make metals harder. (___)
8. Annealing is sometimes an advantage for a metal to be soft. (___)
9. Concorde is built mainly of steel. (___)

5. Answer the following questions correctly.

1. What kinds of metals do you know?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. What metals are called precious metals? Why are they called like this?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. What are the most common physical properties of many metals?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

4. What metals are highly radioactive?

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
5. What happens in a structure of metals when they are heated?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6. What properties of metals make them more popular in comparison with plastics?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7. What are alloys created for?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8. How can the properties of a metal be further improved?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
9. What is heat treatment?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
10. What makes metals softer and less brittle?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

6. Understanding References
Every text has a structure. It is not just a random collection of sentences. The
parts that make up the text are related in a meaningful way to each other. Recognizing
the way in which a text has been organized will help you to understand it better. In
order to understand the text, it is necessary to understand how the sentences are related.
Words like "it", "this", "that", "here", "there" etc. refer to other parts of the text. You
need to understand these connections or links.

7. What do these words refer to?

1. In paragraph 6, pronoun ‘it’ refers to__________
2. In paragraph 7, pronoun ‘them’ refers to ___________
3. In paragraph 8, the word ‘which’ refers to ___________
4. In paragraph 9, pronoun ‘it’ refers to ____________
5. In paragraph 9, the word ‘its’ refers to____________
 8. Scanning Text
Scanning is reading a text quickly in order to find specific information, e.g.
figures or names. It can be contrasted with skimming, which is reading quickly to get
a general idea of meaning. When scanning, you look only for a specific fact or piece
of information without reading everything. You scan when you look for your favorite
show listed in the cable guide, for your friend’s phone number in a telephone book,
and for the sports scores in the newspaper. For scanning to be successful, you need to
understand how your material is structured as well as comprehend what you read so
you can locate the specific information you need. Scanning also allows you to find
details and other information in a hurry.

9. Scanning Exercise
Scan the table which follows to find a material which is:
1. Soft
2. Ductile
3. Malleable
4. Tough
5. Scratch – resistant
6. Conductive and malleable
7. Durable and hard
8. Stiff and brittle
9. Ductile and corrosion – resistant
10. Heat – resistant and chemical – resistant

Materials Properties Uses

Metals

Aluminum Light, soft, ductile, highly Aircraft, engine components,

conductive, corrosion - resistant cooking utensils

Copper Very malleable, tough, and Electric wiring, tubing

ductile, highly conductive,
corrosion – resistant

Brass Very corrosion – resistant, casts Vales, taps castings, ship fittings,
well, easily machined, can be electrical contacts
work-hardened, good conductor
Mild steel High strength, ductile, tough, General purpose
fairly malleable, cannot be
hardened and tempered, low cost,
poor corrosion resistance

High carbon steel Hardest of carbon steels but less Cutting tools such as drills, files,
ductile and malleable, can be saws.
hardened and tempered

Thermoplastics

ABS High impact strength and Safety helmets, car components,

toughness, scratch – resistants, telephones, kitchenware
light and durable

Acrylic Stiff, hard, very durable, clear, Aircraft canopies, baths, souble
can be polished easily, can be glazing
formed easily.

Nylon Hard, tough, wear – resistant, Bearings, gears, casting for

self-lubricating power tools

Thermosetting plastics

Epoxy High strength when reinforced, Adhesives, encapsulation of

good chemical and wear- electronic components
resistance

Polyester resin Stiff, hard, brittle, good chemical Molding, boat and car bodies
and heat resistance

Urea formaldehyde Stiff, hard, strong, brittle, heat Electrical fittings, adhesives
resistant, and a good electrical
insulator

Listening
 Before you listen

1. Discuss the pictures in the small groups.

 a. What are these pictures?
b. Do you know solar water heater?
c. Do you know how to make it?

 Listen

2. You will listen to an audio about “Making a Solar Water Heater”. Fill
the blanks with the words you hear.

This is the VOA Special English Development Report.

Solar water heaters are devices that use energy from the sun to heat water.
Solar water heating is used around the world.
The solar water heater described here is based on a design developed some
years ago in Afghanistan. Since then, it has been built and used in many countries.
It can heat seventy liters of water to sixty degrees Celsius. It can do this between
(1) ____________ and noon on a clear day with an average outside temperature of
thirty-two degrees Celsius.
There are two parts to the solar water heater. One part is made of a (2)
____________of metal painted black. This metal surface, placed in contact with
the water, will heat the water. Black-painted surfaces that receive the sun's heat
become hotter than surfaces of any other color.
The black metal plate is called a (3) ____________. There are several kinds
of metal sheets that can be used for the collector. Metal sheets that have raised
sections will work very well. These corrugated sheets often are used to make the
roofs of houses.
Once the water is heated, it is kept hot with material called insulation. This
allows the water to stay (4) ____________ for a long time.
The second part of the solar water heater holds the water for the system. This
storage (5) _____________ can be a container that holds about one hundred liters.
Two rubber pipes are attached to the water storage tank. One pipe lets water flow
into the system. The other lets water flow out.

When the water heater is working correctly, water will flow from the storage
(6) ____________to the collector and back again. You can use the hot water at the
top of the tank for washing and cleaning. You can change the flow of water so that
the temperature is hot or warm as desired.
 This solar water heater is easy to build and (7)_____________. It will last
about two years before the rubber pipes need to be replaced.
There is also something else you will need to make the solar water heater
work -- the sun. As you might expect, the heater will heat water only on (8)
_____________ days.
You can get more information about projects like solar water heaters from
EnterpriseWorks/VITA. This nonprofit group works to fights poverty in many
countries. The Web site is enterpriseworks.org. Choose the link for News &
Resources, then click on Publications.
Taken from: http://www.saberingles.com.ar/listening/123.html

3. Answer the following questions based on the listening script you have.
a. What is solar water heater?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
b. Where was solar water heater developed first?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
c. When does solar water heater work?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
d. Mention 2 (two) parts of solar water heater!
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
e. What is insulation?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
f. How does solar water heater work?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________