Metal

DEFINITION

Any of various opaque, fusible, ductile and usually lustrous substances that are good conductors of electricity and heat. Metal is a material used by many American sculptors and craftspersons working in contemporary styles such as Alexander Calder, Thomas Markusen, John Chamberlain, Alexander Liberman and Alfred Baker.Sources:Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, AskART.com biographies<br><br>1. A chemical element that is more or less shiny, can be hammered, welded or stretched, as iron, gold, aluminum, lead and magnesium. Distinguished from an alloy. In wire or wire mesh form (of varying dimensions) can also be used to create sculpture. Metalwork is the term used to describe the making of things from metal. 2. Glass in its molten state.<br><br>Metal is a category of elements with supreme capacities for shape-shifting, physical strength, and weight. Metal&#39;s surfaces can show an array of colors and textures, capable of polishing to a high gloss. They can be melted, cast, or fused, hammered into thin sheets, or drawn into wire. Typical metals form basic oxides with oxygen, salts with nonmetals, and alloy with each other. Examples include aluminum, antimony, chrome, copper, gold, iron, lead, nichrome, nickel, palladium, platinum, silver, tin, titanium, and zinc.Safety concerns with metals: Edges can be hazardously sharp. Have you had a tetanus shot in the last five years? Tetanus (lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that causes muscle spasms, difficulty opening the mouth (lockjaw), difficulty swallowing, and seizures. It often leads to death. However, proper vaccination can easily prevent it. Tetanus shots usually last for 10 years; however, if you have a nasty wound involving dirty or rusty metal, a booster shot within 48 hours is extra protection. Moving, bending, or cutting off small pieces of metal can make them whip around, and can even make them flying missiles. Users and people nearby should wear protective clothing, and maintain safe distances from each other. Metals conduct electricity.Also see anneal, arsenic, brass, britannia, bronze, ductile, electroplate, electrum, foil, Index of American Design, interdisciplinary, kerf, leaf, melting point, memory, metallic lamelia, metalpoint, mirror, Mohs Scale of Hardness, nonferrous, openwork, patina, pewter, science and art, solder, staple, temperature, welding, and the names of things made of metal, such as architecture, chisels, fettling knives, nails, needle files, pen nibs, and sculpture.