It's called ''pot metal''.
Pot metal refers to an alloy of inexpensive, low-melting point metals used to make fast, inexpensive castings for toys, tool parts, phonograph and Gramophone components, and automotive parts and accessories. There is no scientific metallurgical standard for pot metal (which is a slang term), but it is also known as white metal, die-cast zinc and often derisively as monkey metal.
Pot metal is known for its instability over time, as it has a tendency to bend, distort, crack, shatter, and pit with age. The low boiling point of zinc and the fast cooling of the newly-cast part often allow air bubbles and zinc oxide to remain within the cast part, weakening the metal. Many of the components of ‘pot metal’ are susceptible to corrosion from airborne acids and other contaminants, and the internal corrosion of the metal often caused the decorative plating to flake off.
GO TO:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal
2007-03-04 13:00:38
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Lance got the answer right. You should also know that most power tools today are not made of metal. They are made of plastic or resins that are designed to look like metal. Most of the internal workings, such as gears, etc. are all made of plastic.
2007-03-04 13:17:56
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answer #2
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answered by The Hiker 3
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