Metals and Alloys

As chemical elements metals make up twenty-five per cent of the Earth’s crust and have been since Copper was first used 11,000 years ago.
Argon (Ar) - part of a series on gases used during the physical vapour deposition (PVD) process - an innovative method for improving the performance of stainless steel

Argon (Ar) - part of a series on gases used during the physical vapour deposition (PVD) process - an innovative method for improving the performance of stainless steel

Richard Storer-Adam delves into the world of argon - one of the constituent gases of air - looking into how it is used in the production of light bulbs, windows and stainless steel.

Aluminium (Al) - part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material

Aluminium (Al) - part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material

Richard Storer-Adam gives a brief history of aluminium, from its time as a material with a higher value than gold through to its use today for wheels, drinks cans and aeroplanes.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

Copper (Cu) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Copper (Cu) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Richard Storer-Adam explores the long relationship humans have had with copper, using it for thousands of years to conduct heat and electricity and as a corrosion resistant building material.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

A brief tutorial in layman's terms on the role of the chemical element iron (Fe) and where it appears on earth, in our bodies and in our industries

A brief tutorial in layman's terms on the role of the chemical element iron (Fe) and where it appears on earth, in our bodies and in our industries

Richard Storer-Adam gives us a concise explanation of the part iron plays on our planet including nuclear fusion, its role in protecting the earth from cosmic radiation and its relationship with steel.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

Nickel (Ni) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Nickel (Ni) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Richard Storer-Adam looks into the origins of nickel, the part it plays in the composition of the planet and the industrial uses that make it a valuable metal alloy.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

Vanadium (V) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Vanadium (V) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Richard Storer-Adam gives us a brief history of vanadium from its discovery in the 19th century to its industrial uses and role in the steel industry today.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

Silicon (Si) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Silicon (Si) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Richard Storer-Adam explains how the chemical element silicon was discovered and how it is a vital component for manufacturing products ranging from electronics to stainless steel.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

Cobalt (Co) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Cobalt (Co) – part of a series on metals commonly alloyed with stainless steel to form varying grades of material.

Richard Storer-Adam explores the use of cobalt from colouring glass for the ancient Egyptians to more modern applications in the renewable energy and stainless steel industries.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

What are vacuum pumps and vacuum chambers and how do they create low pressure ?

What are vacuum pumps and vacuum chambers and how do they create low pressure ?

Richard Storer-Adam explains the science of vacuum chambers and traces their origins back to England in the 17th century.

Richard Storer-Adam is Managing Director of Double Stone Steel Ltd.

The Green Dream of pre-oxidised copper as an aesthetic choice for cladding

The Green Dream of pre-oxidised copper as an aesthetic choice for cladding

Naomi Evans walks us around some highly contemporary building projects that utilise the even, green verdigris of pre-aged copper as exterior and interior cladding.

Naomi Evans is an architect based in Melbourne, Australia.