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Metal Alloys Trivia Quiz

I work in metals all day at my job in the laboratory at a metal recycling facility. Here are some of the interesting things I see every day.

A multiple-choice quiz by speakerface. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
speakerface

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
242,752

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
2184

Last 3 plays: Guest 152 (3/10), Guest 109 (1/10), Mikeytrout44 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which metallic element is NOT naturally magnetic? Hint

Molybdenum

Iron

Nickel

Cobalt

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Question 2 of 10

2. Speaking of magnets, name an alloy that is used as magnets. Hint

446 stainless

Hastelloy C

Alnico

316 stainless

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Question 3 of 10

3. A grade of steel that I encounter daily is called '17/4 PH'. The numbers represent 17% chrome and 4% nickel. Other than iron, what other element is present in this alloy? Hint

copper

lead

phosphorus

tungsten

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the predominant element in the alloy 'Chromel?' Hint

manganese

nickel

chrome

copper

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Question 5 of 10

5. Monel is a grade of metal, used in guitar strings and kitchen sinks. What is it made of? Hint

Nickel and copper

Copper and aluminum

Copper and chrome

Aluminum and nickel

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Question 6 of 10

6. I've received a shipment of scrap cutting blades and drill bits. What kind of alloy can I expect? Hint

all of them

Tungsten carbide

M-7 tool steel

Heat-hardened carbon steel

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Question 7 of 10

7. A common lightweight alloy is a titanium alloy called 'Ti 6-4.' 6 and 4 represent the percent concentrations of which 2 elements? Hint

Vanadium and tin

Tin and zirconium

Aluminum and tin

Aluminum and vanadium

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Question 8 of 10

8. 'German Silver' contains which of the following? Hint

Iron

Silver

Copper

Manganese

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Question 9 of 10

9. Without the use of modern equipment, how can I tell a piece of iron from a piece of nickel? Hint

sparking the pieces on a grinding wheel

both spark and magnetism

placing a magnet on it

neither spark nor magnetism

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Question 10 of 10

10. Most of your forks, knives, and spoons are made of what stainless steel alloy? Hint

you are equally likely to find any one of the three alloys in your utensils.

304 stainless

301 stainless

316 stainless

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Apr 17 2024 : Guest 152: 3/10
Apr 12 2024 : Guest 109: 1/10
Apr 05 2024 : Mikeytrout44: 6/10
Apr 04 2024 : Guest 1: 3/10
Apr 02 2024 : Guest 148: 7/10
Mar 29 2024 : Guest 1: 3/10
Feb 18 2024 : Guest 75: 4/10
Feb 18 2024 : Guest 75: 9/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which metallic element is NOT naturally magnetic?

Answer: Molybdenum

Iron, nickel, and cobalt are all naturally magnetic in nature. Alloys consisting of high percentages of either or all are also magnetic.

2. Speaking of magnets, name an alloy that is used as magnets.

Answer: Alnico

Alnico is used in electric motors and the pickups on electric guitars. It contains (as you probably guessed from the name) aluminum, nickel, and cobalt, in varying proportions, along with iron, copper, and titanium. It can be demagnetized by roasting at high temperature (800 degrees C).

3. A grade of steel that I encounter daily is called '17/4 PH'. The numbers represent 17% chrome and 4% nickel. Other than iron, what other element is present in this alloy?

Answer: copper

PH stands for precipitation hardening, a process which strengthens regularly malleable steel by heat.

4. What is the predominant element in the alloy 'Chromel?'

Answer: nickel

Fooled you? Chrome is in the alloy (ranging from 16-20%), but nickel, ranging from 36-80%, is the major element of chromel. Iron and silicon may also be present. Chromel is used for positive conductors in thermocouples.

5. Monel is a grade of metal, used in guitar strings and kitchen sinks. What is it made of?

Answer: Nickel and copper

There are numerous grades of monel, but all of them contain at least 30% nickel and 13% copper. Some contain small amounts of aluminum, silicon, or niobium.

6. I've received a shipment of scrap cutting blades and drill bits. What kind of alloy can I expect?

Answer: all of them

All of these can be used for cutting/boring tools. The common element in all of them is carbon, which can be found in various concentrations. Nickel is very rarely found in cutting/boring tools.

7. A common lightweight alloy is a titanium alloy called 'Ti 6-4.' 6 and 4 represent the percent concentrations of which 2 elements?

Answer: Aluminum and vanadium

This alloy is commonly found in your golf clubs, aircraft parts, and artificial hips (and, yes, we have received these in the scrap yard. Creepy!).

8. 'German Silver' contains which of the following?

Answer: Copper

It is called 'silver' due to its color only. It is often used as a plating for 'silver' plated utensils, coins (the Portuguese escudo and the now-defunct German mark), and zippers.

9. Without the use of modern equipment, how can I tell a piece of iron from a piece of nickel?

Answer: sparking the pieces on a grinding wheel

Iron will spark orange and vibrantly, and nickel has a dull red spark. Both are magnetic.

10. Most of your forks, knives, and spoons are made of what stainless steel alloy?

Answer: you are equally likely to find any one of the three alloys in your utensils.

All three have similar compositions of nickel, chrome, and iron, except for 316 stainless, which contains 2-3% molybdenum. Often times all three alloys are used in one production run due to their similarity.

Source: Author speakerface

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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