d METALS Metals can be divided into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous. The most common non-ferrrous metals are copper, tin, bronze and aluminium. Aluminium is the only non-ferrous metal used in the structure of a ship. The main properties of metals are: Hardness is the property of a metal which gives it the ability to resist penetration when a load is applied. Strength is the ability of a metal to resist loads and stresses. Loads are external forces and stresses are internal ones. Plasticity is the ability of a metal to take deformation without breaking. Brittleness is a measure of the lack of malleability, or ductility of a metal.Toughness is the combination of high strength and the ability to deform permanently without rupture. Machinability means the way in which metals react to the action of a cutting tool. Conductivity is the property of a metal to conduct thermal or electrical energy. NON-FERROUS METALS: ALUMINIUM. The most common non-ferrous metals are copper, tin, zinc, bronze, and aluminium. Aluminium is the only non-ferrous metal used in the structure of a ship. There are excellent selections of aluminum alloys available for ship construction. The advantages of aluminium, when compared with steel and other metals, are its light weight and superiority under breaking stresses. It is also superior to other metals in its greater ductility, distortion strength and impact resistance, and offers a high resistance to corrosion. Aluminium is essential for the construction of special ships where weight is important, like hydrofoils and high-speed boats; in the case of minesweepers, it is used for its antimagnetic properties. The weight saving advantages of aluminium over mild steel are of vital technical and economic importance for the construction of superstructures in large passenger liners. Aluminium alloys are used in the holds of ships which transport cargo at very low temperature, for example in liquid methane tankers where transportation temperature is about - 260°; in this case mild steel cannot be used. Copper alloys are not used for the structure of the ship, but they are used for fittings, pipes, bearings . Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Brass normally contains 65% copper and 35% zinc. A brass containing 60% copper and 40% zinc, named “Muntz metal”, is used considerably for ship construction, particularly for sheathing, bolts and rivets exposed to the corrosive action of the sea.