2.2 Metals

Metals have an enormously wide range of uses. Due to the many different alloys, metallic materials have widely differing properties.
The basic properties of metals are summarised here. For adhesive bonding, other surface characteristics such as the wetting and bonding properties are important.

Properties of metals:

  • Metallic sheen
  • Electrical conductivity
  • Thermal conductivity
  • High deformation (ductility)
  • Mostly used as alloys