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FORGING
Process of shaping iron and other malleable metals by hammering or pressing them
after application of heat. Forging techniques are useful in working with
metal because the material can be given the desired form, and the process
improves the structure of the metal, particularly refining the grain size.
Forged metal is stronger and more ductile than cast metal and exhibits greater
resistance to fatigue and impact.
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ANODIZE
Coat metal with oxide: to coat a metal, for example, aluminum, with a protective
or decorative oxide by making the metal the anode of an electrolytic cell.
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ELECTROPLATING
Electrochemical process for depositing a thin layer of metal usually on a
metallic base. Objects are electroplated to prevent corrosion, obtain a hard
surface or attractive finish, purify metals (as in the electro refining of
copper), separate metals for quantitative analysis, or as in electrotyping, to
reproduce a form from a mold. Cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver
and tin are the metals most often used in plating. Typical products of
electroplating at are silver-plated tableware, chromium-plated automobile
accessories, and tin-plated food containers.
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CHROMIUM
Symbol Cr, gray metallic element that can take on a high polish. The atomic
number of chromium is 24, and is one of the transition elements on the periodic
table. The addition of chromium imparts hardness, strength, and corrosion
resistance to the alloy. In the stainless steels, chromium makes up 10 percent
or more of the final composition. Because of its hardness, an alloy of chromium,
cobalt, and tungsten is used for high-speed metal-cutting tools.
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NICKEL
Symbol Ni, silver white, magnetic metallic element used chiefly in making
alloys. Nickel is also one of the transition elements on the periodic table.
Nickel is primarily used in the form of alloys. It imparts great strength and
corrosion resistance on steel. Nickel steel, containing about two to four
percent nickel, is used in automobile parts such as axles, crankshifts, gears,
valves and rods; in machine parts; and in armor plates.
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