Which is larger, a #8 or a #10 screw?
You’re standing in the aisle at the hardware store, staring at two boxes of screws. One is labeled #8, the other #10. They look almost identical. You need the stronger one, the one with a bit more bite, but the numbers give you no intuitive clue. Is a #10 a tiny bit smaller than a […]
Will aluminum rust if it gets wet?
Alright, Clive here. Let’s get straight to the point, because this is one of those questions where the simple answer is useless and the real answer is the key to understanding a huge chunk of modern engineering. The question is, “Will aluminum rust if it gets wet?” The short answer is an emphatic, unequivocal no. […]
Why is aluminium difficult to melt?
Right, Clive here. Let’s tackle a question that seems simple on the surface but sends home hobbyists, amateur welders, and even some engineers into fits of confusion. You look up the melting point of aluminum, you see a number—660.3°C (1221°F)—and you think, “That’s not so bad.” After all, your kitchen oven can get halfway there, […]
Do any magnets stick to aluminum?
Alright, Clive here. Let’s start with a scene I’ve witnessed a hundred times. Someone walks up to a gleaming aluminum window frame, a shiny boat railing, or a piece of high-end electronic equipment. They have a magnet in their hand—maybe they’re trying to hang a notice, test if it’s steel, or just satisfy a moment […]
What exactly does galvanized mean?
Clive here. It’s a question I get more often than you’d think, but it always requires a follow-up question from me: “Are you talking about a piece of steel, or a protest movement?” That usually gets a confused look. But the truth is, the word “galvanized” lives a fascinating double life. In one world—my world […]
Do magnets stick to aluminium?
Core Question The Simple Answer The Engineering Reason Do magnets stick to aluminum? No. A standard magnet will not stick to any common form of aluminum. Aluminum is a paramagnetic material. It lacks the internal atomic structure (specifically, aligned magnetic domains) required for ferromagnetism, which is the strong attraction you feel with iron and steel. Why do magnets stick […]
Will a magnet stick to steel?
Alright, Clive here. Let’s talk about one of the most fundamental questions in the world of materials, a question that seems so simple on the surface but quickly spirals into a rabbit hole of metallurgy, physics, and real-world engineering. “Will a magnet stick to steel?” The five-year-old in all of us screams, “Of course! It’s […]
What are the non-ferrous metals?
Alright, Clive here. Let’s get straight to it. You’ve asked one of the most fundamental questions in all of material science, and the internet is awash with confusing, incomplete, and sometimes downright wrong answers. So, let’s clear the air once and for all. Before we dive into the granular detail—and believe me, we will—here is […]
What is a simple definition of metalloid?
Alright, let’s get straight to it. You’ve typed “what is a metalloid” into your search bar because it’s one of those words that sounds technical, important, and slightly confusing. You’ve seen it on a periodic table, probably tucked away on a weird-looking staircase, and you want to know what it really means. Before we dive […]
Which are ferrous metals?
Core Question The Short, Simple Answer The “Clive” Answer Which metals are ferrous? Metals that contain iron. Any metal where iron (Fe) is the main ingredient. If you can rust it, it’s almost certainly ferrous. This includes all forms of iron, carbon steel, and alloy steel. Is steel a ferrous metal? Yes. Absolutely. Steel is […]
