What is the use of metals in art? A message on this topic can be composed in such a way as to show their significance for sculptors, artists, photographers, designers. Despite the huge number of other materials, over the course of many millennia, it is metal that remains one of the most sought after by creative individuals.
Important aspects
The use of metals in art is a direct confirmation of their relevance. Metal can be shaped with the help of numerous developed techniques. For example, these include forging, embossing, casting, electroplating and many others. Patterns can be applied using notches, engraving, etc.
Property Features
Why does a person with enviable constancy choose this material for the manufacture of tools, utensils, equipment? The answer lies in the uniqueness of the properties.
Let us analyze the use of metals in art. The summary of the article on the advantages of the material should consider it on the following points:
- distinctive characteristics;
- discovery story;
- interesting information.
According to the planned plan, we proceed to the analysis of physical and chemical characteristics. Without this question, it is difficult to understand their significance for various fields of human activity.
Physical properties
The use of metals in art is explained by the following properties:
- Crystal dense structure.
- Metallic shine.
- Excellent electrical conductivity.
- Ductility.
- Thermal conductivity.
- Low ionization potential (ease of electron recoil).
The use of metals in art is an interesting issue that deserves a detailed study.
Not only pure metals, but also alloys are currently popular in art and technology. They are divided into two groups:
- ferrous metals (iron and its alloys: steel, cast iron);
- non-ferrous metals and their compounds.
In the first group, steel is of interest. Depending on the alloying element (additives to iron), tungsten, chrome, nickel-plated steels are distinguished. They are distinguished by high strength, resistance to mechanical deformation, corrosion processes. This largely explains the use of metals in art. A report on chemistry involves the characterization and characteristics of a group of non-ferrous metals. Perhaps the greatest interest for artists and sculptors is they. For example, an alloy of copper with tin (bronze) is used in the manufacture of sculptural compositions, and brass (an alloy of copper with zinc) is chosen to create decorative elements .
Gold, platinum, silver are familiar to everyone. What is the use of metals in art? First of all, they are used for the manufacture of jewelry, as they have excellent physical characteristics.
The metallic luster, due to their ability to reflect sunlight from the surface, gives the products an additional charm. High electrical conductivity allows the use of metals in technology. Among the important physical characteristics that cannot be left without due attention, we single out malleability, ductility, and rolling into sheets. All this is possible due to the presence of "free" electrons in the metal crystal lattice.
There is a division of metals by density into two groups: light (less than 5 g / ml), heavy (more than 5 g / ml).
Chemical properties
We continue the discussion about the use of metals in art. The message will be complete if you note the features of their chemical properties. Due to the ability to give external (valence) electrons, while passing into cations (positive ions), metals exhibit the properties of typical reducing agents.
Depending on the ability to give electrons, they can interact with water, solutions of acids, alkalis, salts. The main differences between the chemical capabilities of metals are considered in the course of electrochemistry and inorganic chemistry.
History of the discovery of metals
The term itself is of Greek origin, it appeared in the V century BC. By metal was meant what is mined from the earth. In the Middle Ages, people believed that there were only a few metals: copper, silver, gold, mercury, iron, lead. Alchemists were convinced that these compounds originate in the bowels of the earth under the influence of the rays of the planets. Only in the eighteenth century did the assumption appear that metals are born from the “beginning of combustibility” and earth. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, cesium and rubidium were discovered using spectral analysis. It was then that it was possible to confirm the hypothesis of MV Lomonosov regarding the subdivision of metals into groups according to their characteristic chemical properties.
Thanks to the discovery of the phenomenon of radioactivity, the search for radioactive elements has intensified. Only at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries did the chemical-physical basis for the creation of metallurgy (the science of the manufacture of natural components of metal ores) appear.
In addition to art forging, which is currently widely used for the manufacture of decorative arbors, barbecues, benches, non-ferrous metal alloys are in demand in the manufacture of jewelry. Stringed musical instruments are also difficult to imagine without metal and alloy parts.