Sustainability - Materials Research - Metal - Project Development

 This is part 2 of my material research, I will be researching metal. 

Metal:

Metal is a type of material that is widely used in many industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and electronics. It is a realy versatile material that is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion and wear. 

One of the main characteristics about metal is its metallic bond. This is a type of bond that occurs between the positively charged metallic ions and the negatively charged electrons that are shared with all the atoms in the metal. Because of that, it creates a lattice structure that gives metal its unique properties. For example, the electrons are free to move within the lattice, which is why metals are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. 

Another important property of metal is its ductility and malleability. Ductility is the ability of a metal to be drawn into a wire, while malleability is the ability of a metal to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. Metals like copper and aluminum are highly ductile and malleable, which makes them ideal for use in electrical wiring, plumbing, and construction. 

The strength of metal is another reason why it is such a popular material. Most metals have a high tensile strength, which means they can withstand a lot of stress before they begin to deform or break. This is why metals like steel are used in building construction, where they can support the weight of entire buildings. 

It is also resistant to corrosion, because of the metal's ability to form a layer of oxide on its surface, which protects it from further corrosion. Again one of the most resistant metals is stainless steel which makes it ideal for use in environments where there is a lot of moisture or exposure to chemicals. 

Metal in Construction: 

Metal specifically in construction is highly regarded martial like written above for its strength, durability, and versatility.  With its capacity to withstand harsh environments and its resistance to corrosion, make metal the top choice for simple home renovations to large-scale commercial and industrial projects. 

Metal has been used in construction for centuries, but it began to be mass-produced after the industrial revolution. Before this time, metal structures were limited to small scale projects like bridges and decorative elements. The introduction of steel in the mid-19th century brought possibilities for metal in construction, steel is incredibly strong, durable and cost-effective making it now an ideal material for large-scale buildings such as skyscrapers. In addition to steel, other metals such as aluminium, copper and zinc are also common used materials in construction. Each material offers unique properties that make it ideal for different applications. 

One of the main benefits of using metal in construction is its "strength-to-weight ratio". Metals like steel and aluminum have a high strength-to-weight ratio, which makes them really strong that can support significant weight despite being lightweight materials. They also withstand harsh weather conditions, earthquakes, and fire. 

Another benefit is that it is a very versatile material, it can get easily customized and fabricated to any construction need from simple forms to complicated ones. It can also be matched with other construction materials to create the desired structures. 

It is also low maintenance material, it doesn't warp, rot or attract pests and it doesn't require frequent painting or sealing. In the case of a metal structure being in a really warm environment, the challenge of susceptibility to corrosion can be a problem, leading the structure to weaken over time. To prevent this a range of protective coatings and treatments will need to be done, such as galvanization and powder coating which will be applied to the metal surface structure to prevent rust and corrosion. 

It is energy efficient because it is able to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. This can lead to lower energy costs for heating and cooling. 

In addition, it is environmentally sustainable, metal can be recycled making it an eco-friendly choice for construction projects. It's also a popular choice for green building certification programs. 

Now when it comes to the affordability of it, metal comes as a good choice as well. This is because metal is a widely available material and can be produced quickly and efficiently. Also with the lower cost of the material, metal structures can also be built faster with fewer labor costs. This is because metal components can be fabricated off-site and then brought to the construction site for assembly. This reduces the need for skilled workers to be on-sight for extended periods, which can save construction companies a significant amount of money. As written above its amazing durability can also be a money-saver, because they have a longer lifespan and it requires minimal maintenance over the years. 

I will be including metal in the materials used for my project, as it will hold the skeleton structure and connect all the glass parts together by framing the triangles. 

Steel frame structure (picture by zhengzaishuru) 

References: 

Amazing Architecture (2022) The many benefits of using metal as the main building material. Available from: https://amazingarchitecture.com/articles/the-many-benefits-of-using-metal-as-the-main-building-material (Accessed 7 May) 

Designing Buildings (2023) Metal in construction. Available from: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Metal_in_construction (Accessed 7 May) 

NCCA Coat Notes (2017) Benefits of using metal in construction. Available from: https://nccacoatnotes.com/2017/07/27/benefits-of-using-metal-in-construction/ (Accessed 7 May)

ScineceNewsExplores (2022) What is a metal?. Available from: https://www.snexplores.org/article/explainer-what-is-a-metal (Accessed 7 May)

 The piping mart (2022) Benefits of using metal in construction projects. Available from: https://blog.thepipingmart.com/metals/benefits-of-using-metal-in-construction-projects/ (Accessed 7 May) 

Image References: 

istock (2023) Available from: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/steel-frame-structure-gm541116798-96737987 (Accessed 8 May) 

Morecambe Metals (2018) Available from: https://www.morecambemetals.co.uk/metals-and-their-properties-steel/ (Accessed 8 May)