Metals: Shape & Form
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 4.6.3
Shapes & Form
Metals can have various shapes and forms, depending on their intended use.
Sheets and plates
- Metals can be produced in flat, thin sheets of varying thickness.
- Sheets are used for roofing, cladding, and fabrication of metal parts.
- Plates are thicker and more substantial than sheets.
- Plates are used in structural applications:
- Construction.
- Shipbuilding.
- Manufacturing of heavy machinery.
Wires
- Metal wires have a thin and elongated form.
- Wires are used for:
- Electrical wiring.
- Telecommunications.
- Fencing.
- Wires are also in various industrial applications:
- Springs.
- Mesh.
Bars and rods
- Metal bars are solid, long, and have a circular or rectangular cross-section.
- Bars are used as structural elements and support beams.
- Bars are also used for manufacturing machine components.
- Rods are similar to bars but are usually thinner in diameter.
- Rods are used in construction, electrical wiring, and concrete structures.
Profiles
- Metal profiles are specific shapes that are extruded or formed to have consistent cross-sections.
- Examples of profiles include:
- I-beams.
- C-channels.
- Angles.
- T-sections.
- Profiles are used in construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
Tubes and pipes
- Tubes have a hollow cylindrical shape.
- Tubes are used in plumbing, heating systems, and structural frameworks.
- Pipes also have a hollow cylindrical shape.
- Pipes come in various diameters and wall thicknesses.
- Pipes are used for the transportation of fluids or gases.
- Pipes are made from metals like steel, copper, or aluminium.
Test yourself on Metals: Shape & Form
What form of metal is used in telecommunications?