a) Physical properties
b) Mechanical properties
c) Chemical properties
The physical properties of metal include weight, colour, thermal conductivity, density, fusibility, magnetization, melting point.
1) Strength: It is the ability of a material to resist the externally applied forces without breaking or yielding.
2) Stiffness: It is the ability of a material to resist deformation under stress.
3) Elasticity: It is the property of a material to regain its original shape after deformation when the external loads are removed. Steel is more elastic than rubber.
4) Plasticity: It is property of a material which retains the deformation produced under load permanently.
5) Ductility: The property of a material which can be drawn into wires without breaking.
6) Malleability: The property of a material which can be rolled or hammered into thin sheets.
7) Brittleness: It is the property of material which can be broken with little permanent distortion.
8) Toughness: It is the property of material to resist fracture due to high impact load like hammer blow.
9) Hardness: It is the property of metal to cut another metal.
10) Machinability: It is the property of a material which can be machined easily.