From our rusting cars to our gleaming jewelry, our electrified cities to our soaring spacecraft, metals quietly shape our world with astonishing strength, conductivity, and abundance, as revealed by their incredible properties and massive production numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Iron, the most abundant metal on Earth, constitutes about 5.6% of the Earth's crust by weight.
- The melting point of tungsten is 3,422°C, the highest among all metals.
- Copper has a density of 8.96 g/cm³ at 20°C.
- Iron reacts with oxygen to form rust (Fe2O3·nH2O).
- Copper forms a protective patina of Cu2CO3(OH)2 over time.
- Aluminum forms a thin oxide layer Al2O3 preventing further corrosion.
- Global iron ore production reached 2.6 billion metric tons in 2022.
- China produced 1.1 billion metric tons of crude steel in 2022.
- Aluminum production worldwide was 69.1 million metric tons in 2022.
- World iron ore reserves are estimated at 190 billion metric tons.
- Bauxite reserves stand at 55 billion metric tons globally.
- Copper reserves are 890 million metric tons.
- Steel used in construction accounts for 50% of total steel use.
- Aluminum in transportation sector is 27% of total use.
- Copper wiring in electrical applications is 60% of demand.
This blog post explores metal properties, production statistics, and diverse applications across industries.
Chemical Properties
- Iron reacts with oxygen to form rust (Fe2O3·nH2O).
- Copper forms a protective patina of Cu2CO3(OH)2 over time.
- Aluminum forms a thin oxide layer Al2O3 preventing further corrosion.
- Gold is highly resistant to most acids but dissolves in aqua regia.
- Silver tarnishes to Ag2S in presence of sulfur.
- Titanium is passivated by TiO2 layer.
- Lead is resistant to corrosion in sulfuric acid.
- Platinum is inert to most chemicals except aqua regia.
- Zinc sacrificially corrodes to protect iron (galvanization).
- Nickel forms NiO protective layer.
- Chromium prevents rust in stainless steel alloys.
- Magnesium burns with intense white light in air.
- Mercury forms amalgams with many metals.
- Cobalt catalyzes oxidation reactions.
- Molybdenum is used in high-strength low-alloy steels.
- Tin is resistant to corrosion from water.
- Vanadium forms V2O5 catalyst in sulfuric acid production.
- Palladium catalyzes hydrogenation reactions.
- Beryllium forms strong Be-O bonds.
- Scandium forms highly stable Sc3+ ion.
- Yttrium is used in superconductors as YBCO.
- Zirconium is highly reactive with oxygen at high temps.
- Niobium resists corrosion in acids.
- Tantalum is nearly immune to chemical attack.
- Rhenium forms Re2O7, volatile oxide.
- Osmium tetroxide OsO4 is highly toxic.
- Iridium resists oxidation up to 1,000°C.
- Hafnium reacts with halogens at elevated temps.
Chemical Properties Interpretation
In the arena of chemical reactivity, the nobility of a metal is defined not by a crown of inertia, but by its chosen battle—whether it surrenders meekly to rust, dons a stoic patina of armor, or, in the case of the truly precious, stands defiant until faced with the one king-slaying acid that calls its bluff.
Global Production
- Global iron ore production reached 2.6 billion metric tons in 2022.
- China produced 1.1 billion metric tons of crude steel in 2022.
- Aluminum production worldwide was 69.1 million metric tons in 2022.
- Copper mine production hit 22 million metric tons in 2022.
- Gold production was 3,612 metric tons globally in 2022.
- Zinc production reached 13.3 million metric tons in 2022.
- Lead output was 4.6 million metric tons in 2022.
- Nickel production totaled 3.3 million metric tons in 2022.
- Tin mine production was 300,000 metric tons in 2022.
- Titanium sponge production was 234,000 metric tons in 2021.
- Platinum group metals production was 226 metric tons in 2022.
- Silver production reached 823,000 metric tons in 2022.
- Chromium ore production was 44 million metric tons in 2022.
- Manganese ore production hit 20 million metric tons in 2022.
- Molybdenum production was 300,000 metric tons in 2022.
- Tungsten production totaled 84,000 metric tons in 2022.
- Rare earth metals production was 300,000 metric tons REO in 2022.
- Cobalt production reached 170,000 metric tons in 2022.
- Lithium metal equivalent production was around 180,000 tons LCE in 2022.
- Antimony production was 110,000 metric tons in 2022.
- Bauxite production for aluminum was 373 million metric tons in 2022.
- Steel production worldwide peaked at 1.88 billion metric tons in 2022.
- Global recycling rate for steel is over 85%.
- Aluminum cans recycling rate in US is 52% annually.
- Copper wiring recycling recovers 90% of energy vs primary production.
Global Production Interpretation
While our planet churns out mountains of metal to satisfy civilization's endless appetite, it's reassuring to see that we're at least learning to whisper "circle back" to some of it through recycling.
Physical Properties
- Iron, the most abundant metal on Earth, constitutes about 5.6% of the Earth's crust by weight.
- The melting point of tungsten is 3,422°C, the highest among all metals.
- Copper has a density of 8.96 g/cm³ at 20°C.
- Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust at 8.1% by mass.
- Gold has a density of 19.3 g/cm³, making it one of the densest metals.
- Silver's electrical conductivity is 6.30 × 10^7 S/m at 20°C, the highest of any metal.
- Titanium has a tensile strength of up to 434 MPa in its pure form.
- Lead has a low tensile strength of only 12-17 MPa.
- Platinum's boiling point is 3,967°C.
- Zinc's melting point is 419.53°C.
- Nickel density is 8.908 g/cm³.
- Chromium is highly corrosion-resistant due to a passive oxide layer.
- Magnesium has the lowest density among structural metals at 1.738 g/cm³.
- Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, with a melting point of -38.83°C.
- Cobalt has a Curie temperature of 1,115°C.
- Molybdenum's density is 10.28 g/cm³.
- Tin has 10 stable isotopes, more than any other element except xenon.
- Vanadium is ductile and can be extracted from magnetite.
- Palladium absorbs up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen.
- Beryllium has a Young's modulus of 287 GPa.
- Scandium is the lightest transition metal with density 2.985 g/cm³.
- Yttrium has a melting point of 1,522°C.
- Zirconium's corrosion resistance is due to ZrO2 layer.
- Niobium has superconducting properties at 9.25 K.
- Tantalum's capacitance is high in electrolytic capacitors.
- Rhenium has the third-highest melting point at 3,186°C.
- Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element at 22.59 g/cm³.
- Iridium's density is 22.56 g/cm³.
- Hafnium has similar properties to zirconium due to lanthanide contraction.
Physical Properties Interpretation
Our planet generously provides common and robust elements like iron and aluminum for everyday use, while the rare, extreme, and often downright weird members of the periodic table—like tungsten's scorching heat, mercury's perpetual chill, and osmium's oppressive density—quietly enable the technological marvels of our modern world.
Reserves and Mining
- World iron ore reserves are estimated at 190 billion metric tons.
- Bauxite reserves stand at 55 billion metric tons globally.
- Copper reserves are 890 million metric tons.
- Gold reserves total 54,000 metric tons.
- Zinc reserves are 250 million metric tons.
- Lead reserves amount to 91 million metric tons.
- Nickel reserves are 100 million metric tons.
- Tin reserves are 4.7 million metric tons.
- Titanium reserves (ilmenite/rutile) exceed 1 billion metric tons.
- Platinum reserves are 70,000 metric tons.
- Silver reserves are 530,000 metric tons.
- Chromium reserves are 560 million metric tons.
- Manganese reserves total 1.8 billion metric tons.
- Molybdenum reserves are 19 million metric tons.
- Tungsten reserves are 5.9 million metric tons.
- Cobalt reserves are 8.3 million metric tons.
- Rare earth reserves are 120 million metric tons REO.
- Largest open-pit mine Carajás in Brazil produces 150 Mt iron ore/year.
- Grasberg mine in Indonesia yields 30 tons gold annually.
- Chuquicamata mine in Chile is deepest open pit at 850m.
- Over 50% of world's copper comes from porphyry deposits.
- Deep-sea polymetallic nodules contain 1.1 billion tons manganese.
- Recycling of metals avoids 97% energy for aluminum production.
Reserves and Mining Interpretation
Despite our planet's generous metallic dowry, from a king's ransom of iron to a miserly sprinkling of tin, we'd still be mining fools if we didn't recognize that our cleverest reserve is the scrap pile we've already dug up.
Uses and Applications
- Steel used in construction accounts for 50% of total steel use.
- Aluminum in transportation sector is 27% of total use.
- Copper wiring in electrical applications is 60% of demand.
- Gold in jewelry comprises 50% of annual demand.
- Zinc in galvanizing steel uses 55% of production.
- Lead-acid batteries consume 85% of lead supply.
- Nickel in stainless steel is 70% of usage.
- Tin in soldering accounts for 50% of consumption.
- Titanium in aerospace is 50% of demand.
- Platinum in autocatalysts is 40% of use.
- Silver in electronics and photovoltaics is 30% each.
- Chromium in stainless steel is 80% of production.
- Manganese in steel production is 90% of use.
- Molybdenum in alloys for oil industry is key.
- Tungsten in cutting tools is 50% of demand.
- Cobalt in batteries reached 50% of demand by 2022.
- Metals recycling saves 700 million tons CO2 annually.
- EV batteries require 40kg lithium, 160kg nickel, 70kg cobalt.
- Stainless steel production uses 18% chromium, 10% nickel.
Uses and Applications Interpretation
From steel's structural might to lead's overwhelming battery burden, this statistical blueprint reveals that modern civilization is essentially a carefully alloyed art project, welded together by metals whose primary talents—be they in our skyscrapers, cars, or smartphones—are as specialized and indispensable as the roles we've cast them to play.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 2STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 3WORLDSTEELworldsteel.orgVisit source
- Reference 4USGSusgs.govVisit source
- Reference 5ALUMINUMaluminum.orgVisit source
- Reference 6COPPERALLIANCEcopperalliance.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 7PUBSpubs.usgs.govVisit source
- Reference 8ISAisa.org.jmVisit source
- Reference 9EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 10INTERNATIONAL-ALUMINIUMinternational-aluminium.orgVisit source
- Reference 11COPPERcopper.orgVisit source
- Reference 12GOLDgold.orgVisit source
- Reference 13ZINCzinc.orgVisit source
- Reference 14ILZSGilzsg.orgVisit source
- Reference 15NICKELINSTITUTEnickelinstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 16ITRIitri.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 17ITANIUMitanium.orgVisit source
- Reference 18PLATINUMplatinum.matthey.comVisit source
- Reference 19SILVERINSTITUTEsilverinstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 20ICDAicda.coVisit source
- Reference 21MANGANESEmanganese.orgVisit source
- Reference 22IMOAimoa.infoVisit source
- Reference 23ITIAitia.infoVisit source
- Reference 24COBALTINSTITUTEcobaltinstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 25EUROMETALeurometal.orgVisit source