A silver rock of tellurium on a white surface.
By Dan Markham General Information • • • 0 Comments

Which Metals Are The Least Useful?

Take a look at the room around you. What do you see? Chances are, you’ll see a lot of household appliances, cookware, and other equipment. What do all of these items have in common? They use metals as a primary component! Metals are useful in a wide variety of applications. In fact, there aren’t a lot of things that we use that don’t incorporate metals in some way. However, that doesn’t mean that all metals have their uses! There are some metals out there that aren’t fit for most applications. We break it down for you below!

Francium

We’re willing to bet that most of the people reading this are just hearing about francium for the first time! There’s a good reason behind that, too; francium is classified as the rarest metal on the periodic table. It only makes sense that a metal that’s hard to find isn’t used much! However, that isn’t the main reason why it has no practical use. Francium is very unstable, and this is supported by the fact that it only has a half-life of 22 minutes! A francium product would be unusable before it was even sold.

Protactinium

While francium is the rarest unstable metal, protactinium is the rarest stable metal. There’s one thing that the two metals have in common; they both don’t have any practical uses! While protactinium is considered to be stable, it’s also highly radioactive and toxic. To give you an idea, most protactinium is extracted from spent nuclear fuel. The only use it has right now is for scientific research, so it’s not exactly useful!

Tellurium

Tellurium is a metal that’s actually dangerous by itself! Prolonged exposure to this metal can result in plenty of annoying side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. The only real practical application for tellurium is being a combining element in certain metal alloys. Specifically, tellurium can be used as a component of stainless steel! Tack on the fact that this metal is one of the rarest elements on Earth, and you have yourself a metal that’s pretty useless in the field.

Metalworking at Markham Metals

If you can name a type of metalworking, there’s a very good chance that Markham Metals can help you get the job done! We’re expertly trained in bending, warping and shaping metals to your exact specified dimensions for use in many applications. We also carry our own in-line product stock for your needs. If you have a metalworking job you need done, click here to contact us directly!

A corroded steel pipe. It is covered in rust and has several large cracks along the side.
By Dan Markham General Information • • • 0 Comments

The Importance Of Corrosion Resistance

The properties of metals are what make them so useful in a variety of different industries. When a metal is used for a particular purpose, it’s typically because that it has a trait that is vital to its operation. One of the most important traits that a metal can have is its ability to resist corrosion. In other words, it refers to a metal’s ability to withstand the elements. In fact, corrosion resistance is a big part of many practical metal applications! But, what exactly makes it so vital? We explain just how important it is below!

Resisting Water

Take a look around your home or apartment. Do you have running water and good plumbing? You can thank corrosion resistance for making that possible! Some metals, such as copper, are resistant to the corrosion caused by water. It makes it a popular choice for plumbing pipes. Other metals are used in marine technology for the same purpose. If these metals didn’t have their superior resistance, ocean sciences and plumbing would suffer as a result.

Resisting Electricity

Technology would be nowhere near what it is today without the corrosion resistance of different metals! Some metals are incredibly resistant to corrosion from electricity, and are also good conductors of it. Copper wiring is a staple of a lot of household electronics, and iron and stainless steel is commonly used in a lot of electrical equipment. Next time you’re using your microwave or washing machine, remind yourself that metals make it work!

Resisting Heat

Heat resistance is a rare, yet important, property of a metal. Did you know that it is actually vital for use on airplanes? Metals like tungsten are important for aerospace applications due to their fantastic heat resistances. Other applications of this use are missiles, furnaces, and aircraft turbines. You can thank corrosion for everything from air travel to home heating systems!

Metalworking at Markham Metals

A lot of different metals are corrosion resistant in their own ways. If you need a metal shaped and formed into a useful application, there’s no better place to call than Markham Metals! If you can name a way to shape, cut or form metal, there’s a good chance we offer it as a service. We also carry an in-line stock of metal products for your needs. To get your metals ready for use in the real world, click here to contact us directly!

Galvanized Steel
By Dan Markham General Information • • • 0 Comments

All About Galvanizing Metal

Metal alloys are some of the strongest materials on Earth. By combining metal with other elements, you can actually make them a lot more useful in everyday life! Of course, all strength has its limitations. However, in industries where limitations could spell disaster, it’s important to be able to push the boundaries of strength for metal alloys. Steel and iron are incredibly strong on their own, but what if you could make them stronger? This is where galvanizing metal comes in! But, what is it exactly, and why is it so effective? We break it down for you below!

What Is Galvanizing?

The process of galvanizing, as you may have already guessed, is most commonly used on steel and iron. During this process, the metals are coated with a layer of zinc, and the final product is called galvanized steel or iron. But, why add this coating at all? Zinc actually helps these metals by offering them a little protection from the harshest elements, while also preventing them from rusting later on. This added protection makes the metals a lot stronger and opens up the possible uses that they can have.

Where Is Galvanized Metal Used?

Galvanized metal is best used in situations where the metal at play has a high risk of corroding. Since the galvanized metal resists corrosion, it can stay at peak strength for far longer than its ungalvanized counterparts. For example, galvanized steel has tremendous marine applications, such as being used for submarine parts and boat propellers. It’s also used as the structure for numerous high-rise buildings due to the added strength it receives through the process. Galvanized iron and other metals are also used in vehicle parts thanks to their superior ability to outlast the elements.

How Easy Is It To Do?

Believe it or not, the process of galvanizing metal is easier than you think! The most popular way to galvanize metal is called the hot dip galvanization process. It’s exactly what it sounds like; the metal is dipped in a hot zinc solution that gives it the proper coating. You can typically have your metal galvanized within 24 hours, making it a quick and cost effective process.

Galvanizing At Markham Metals

If you can name a way of shaping, forming, or strengthening metal, there’s no better place to get it done than at Markham Metals! We can transform your metals for use in a wide variety of applications. To see how our metalworking can make your products the best they can be, contact us today to get started!

A series of red aluminum cans laid out in straight lines.
By Dan Markham General Information • • • 0 Comments

Why Is Aluminum The Most Usable Metal?

Take a look at the items around you in the room that you’re in. What do you see? You probably see a lot of household items, office equipment, and maybe even some food containers. For every item category that we just named, aluminum has its own uses in it! Metals have a ton of practical applications, but aluminum may be the most varied and versatile out of all of them. There are many reasons why you see it everywhere you go! But, why is aluminum the most usable metal? We break it down below!

Abundance

Did you know that aluminum is the most abundant metal on the periodic table? It’s actually the third most abundant element on Earth overall, only sitting behind oxygen and silicon. It should go without saying that aluminum is very easy to find! Metals that are so common are bound to have their uses throughout the various industries. However, what really sets aluminum apart doesn’t have to do with how plentiful it is – but it is a factor!

Corrosion Resistance

One of aluminum’s most useful properties is its superior resistance to corrosion. In fact, it’s more corrosion resistant than most metals out there, only being outranked by stainless steel! This corrosion resistance makes it useful for a variety of applications. For example, the Empire State Building largely used aluminum as a part of its construction. Apple has begun using aluminum for its laptops and phones. There’s also a good chance that you have aluminum silverware!

Strength + Weight

For being such a lightweight metal, aluminum boasts an insane amount of strength. This trait makes it especially helpful in the transportation industry, being used as a key component of cars, buses and trains. It can even be used to make aircraft and spacecraft components! Aluminum is also used in window frames for the same reason, as the strength allows for better insulation for your home. Aluminum’s low weight also makes it a viable option for long power lines.

Aluminum At Markham Metals

After learning about the properties of aluminum, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most used metals on the planet. If you need that metal – or any other – worked on for your project, bring it to Markham Metals! If you can name a way to shape and form metal, there’s a great chance that we offer it as a service. We can shape and form your metal into any shape so you can put it to work for your next project. For the best metalworking services in Massachusetts, contact us today!