Metal and Engineering

9 dot points across 9 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How does controlled heating and cooling change the properties of steel, and how do you use hardening, tempering, annealing and normalising in metal work?

Explain the heat treatment processes of hardening, tempering, annealing and normalising, and describe how controlled heating and cooling change the properties of steels for engineering purposes

Heat treatment for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. How heating and cooling rates change steel, hardening by quenching, tempering, annealing and normalising, case hardening, and selecting the right treatment for a part.

6 min read →

How is molten metal cast into complex shapes, and how do sand casting, die casting and investment casting differ in cost, accuracy and use?

Describe the casting and moulding processes used to form metal components, including sand casting, die casting and investment casting, and explain their applications, advantages and limitations

Metal casting for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. How casting works, sand casting, die casting and investment casting, patterns and moulds, casting defects, and choosing a process by quantity, accuracy and cost.

6 min read →

How are metals joined permanently and temporarily, and how do you choose between arc welding, oxy welding, brazing, soldering and mechanical fasteners?

Describe the welding and joining processes used in metal fabrication, including arc, MIG and TIG welding, oxy-acetylene welding, brazing, soldering and mechanical fastening, and select appropriate joining methods

Welding and joining for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. Arc, MIG and TIG welding, oxy-acetylene welding, brazing and soldering, mechanical fasteners, weld defects and welding safety, and how to select a joining method.

6 min read →

Why does metal corrode, and how do surface preparation and finishes such as painting, plating, galvanising and anodising protect and improve a metal product?

Explain corrosion of metals and describe the surface preparation and finishing processes used to protect and decorate metal, including painting, electroplating, galvanising, anodising and powder coating

Metal finishing for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. Why metals corrode, surface preparation, protective and decorative finishes including painting, electroplating, galvanising, anodising and powder coating, and selecting a finish.

6 min read →

How do you mark out, cut and machine metal accurately, and what do the lathe, mill and drill press contribute to engineering production?

Describe the processes and tools used to mark out, cut, drill and machine metal, including the centre lathe, milling machine and drill press, and explain accurate measurement and their safe operation

Metal marking out, cutting and machining for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. Measuring and marking-out tools, cutting and drilling, the centre lathe and milling machine, swarf and cutting fluid, and machine safety.

6 min read →

How is flat sheet metal turned into three-dimensional products through development, cutting, forming and joining?

Describe the processes used to fabricate products from sheet metal, including pattern development, cutting and shearing, bending and folding, forming and joining, and explain their application in fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. Pattern development, shearing and cutting, bending and folding, forming processes such as rolling and pressing, joining sheet, and edge and safety considerations.

6 min read →

What are ferrous metals, how does carbon content change their properties, and how do you choose the right steel or iron for a metal project?

Describe the composition, properties and applications of ferrous metals, including the effect of carbon content on steels, and select appropriate ferrous metals for engineering and fabrication tasks

Ferrous metals for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. What makes a metal ferrous, the carbon-content scale from mild to high-carbon steel and cast iron, mechanical properties, common alloy steels and how to select ferrous metals.

6 min read →

What are non-ferrous metals and alloys, why are they chosen over steel, and where do aluminium, copper, brass and their relatives belong in engineering?

Describe the composition, properties and applications of non-ferrous metals and alloys, including aluminium, copper, brass and bronze, and select appropriate non-ferrous metals for engineering tasks

Non-ferrous metals for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. What makes a metal non-ferrous, the properties and uses of aluminium, copper, zinc, lead and titanium, common alloys such as brass and bronze, and how to select them.

6 min read →

How is the Australian metal and engineering industry organised, and how do its sectors, technologies, environmental practices and trends shape what it produces?

Describe the structure, sectors, technologies, environmental and sustainability practices and current trends of the metal and engineering industry as the industry-related knowledge for the focus area

Industry-related knowledge for HSC Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering. The structure and sectors of the metal and engineering industry, production technologies and automation, recycling and environmental practice, and current and emerging trends.

6 min read →