yellow metal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A type of brass alloy: A specific category of brass, which is a metal alloy primarily of copper and zinc. This type is characterized by having a higher zinc content and greater strength than a category called alpha brass. It is commonly used in industrial processes such as casting (pouring molten metal into a mold) and hot-working (shaping metal while it is hot).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The engineer specified yellow metal for the valve body due to its strength and corrosion resistance.
- Many historical nautical fittings were made from yellow metal.
- The foundry specializes in producing yellow metal castings for the plumbing industry.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: In metallurgy and engineering, "yellow metal" is a technical term for high-strength, high-zinc brass alloys like muntz metal or alpha-beta brass. It is not a synonym for gold.
- The corrosion properties of the yellow metal were tested in seawater.
Variants and Related Words
- Muntz metal (n): A common type of yellow metal, specifically about 60% copper and 40% zinc, often used for sheathing on boat hulls.
- Alpha-beta brass (n): The metallurgical classification for yellow metal, indicating its mixed crystalline structure.
- Brass (n): The broader family of copper-zinc alloys to which yellow metal belongs.
- Naval brass (n): A related, strong brass alloy often containing tin, used in marine environments.
Synonyms
- High-strength brass
- Alpha-beta brass (technical)
- Muntz metal (specific type)
Notes on Meaning
- Important Distinction: While "yellow metal" can informally describe any metal with a yellow color (like gold), its primary and technical definition in engineering and materials science is for a specific brass alloy. In most formal or industrial contexts, it refers to brass, not gold.
- The pirate's treasure was gold, not yellow metal. (Here, the distinction is made clear.)
Noun
- a brass that has more zinc and is stronger than alpha brass; used in making castings and hot-worked products