Metals Metals are metallically bonded compounds made from most of the elements on the periodic table. Metals can be either monatomic such as copper, or an alloy such as steel. Metals are ductile, malleable, electrically conductive and thermally conductive. All of these properties come from the way metallic atoms bond together. Metals are used for structures, electrical wires, locks, coins, and many more items.
Metals can easily be bent, machined, cast or extruded into shape.
The widespread use of Metals is in large part due to this ease of manufacturing. Ceramics are brittle, strong and non-conducting materials. Ceramics are typically compounds consisting of metals covalently bonded to oxygen, nitrogen or carbon. Ceramics are used for high temperature applications, abrasives, transparent windows and pottery. Ceramic pieces are generally made through extrusion, slip casting, or compression molding.