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WoodLtdŽ Studio began
in 2000 with the vision of quality craftsmanship, personalized
service and integrity. In 2002 we expended our capabilities with the
acquisition of a sculptural steel foundry, enabling us to forge new
pathways combining aluminum, steel and iron. The company has
continued to expand becoming the preferred provider of ornamental
alloy to those who appreciate superior craftsmanship. Specializing
in aluminum casting, wrought iron, ornamental iron, architectural
ornaments, metal fabrication, mold making, sand casting,
enlargements, patina, gold leafing, finishing, restoration,
sculpting, life size and monumental pieces.
You no longer have to choose between the
maintenance-free ease of aluminum and the strength of steel of your
fence. The best of both worlds is available only from WoodLtdŽ
Studio. Through the extensive research and testing, WoodLtdŽ has
developed a high grade aluminum alloy. This remarkable material has
the strength of steel without the rust of traditional wrought iron
fence. Our alloy has a minimum yield strength of 35,000 pounds per
square inch (psi), which is significantly higher then the
25,000-33-000 psi strength found in many steel fences. Even more
impressive is WoodLtdŽ aluminum fence's advantage over other
aluminum fence, which has yield strength of only 16,000-25,000 psi.
Metal Approximately
three-quarters of all known chemical elements are metals. The most
abundant varieties in the Earth's crust are aluminum, iron, calcium,
sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The vast majority of metals are
found in ores (mineral-bearing substances), but a few such as
copper, gold, platinum, and silver frequently occur in the free
state because they do not readily react with other elements.
Metals are usually crystalline solids. In most cases, they have a
relatively simple crystal structure distinguished by a close packing
of atoms and a high degree of symmetry. Typically, the atoms of
metals contain less than half the full complement of electrons in
their outermost shell. Because of this characteristic, metals tend
not to form compounds with each other. They do, however, combine
more readily with nonmetals (e.g., oxygen and sulfur), which
generally have more than half the maximum numberof valence
electrons. Metals differ widely in their chemical reactivity. The
most reactive include lithium, potassium, and radium, whereas those
of low reactivity are gold, silver, palladium, and platinum.
The high electrical and thermal conductivities of the simple metals
(i.e., the non-transition metals of the periodic table) are best
explained by reference to the free-electron theory. According to
this concept, the individual atoms in such metals have lost their
valence electrons to the entire solid, and these free electrons that
give rise to conductivity move as a group throughout the solid. In
the case of the more complex metals (i.e., the transition elements),
conductivities are better explained by the band theory (q.v.), which
takes into account not only the presence of free electrons but also
their interaction with so-called d electrons.
The mechanical properties of metals, such as hardness, ability to
resist repeated stressing (fatigue strength), ductility, and
malleability, are often attributed to defects or imperfections in
their crystal structure. The absence of a layer of atoms in its
densely packed structure, for example, enables a metal to deform
plastically, and prevents it from being brittle.
Gate: is a point of entry to a
space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Gates may prevent
or control entry or exit, or they may be merely decorative. Larger
gates can be used for a whole building, such as a castle or
fortified town, or the actual doors that block entry through the
gatehouse. In ancient and medieval times, gatehouses of cities and
castles were heavily defended and fortified to prevent breaching of
the gates. Often the gate would consist of several pairs of doors
and iron grates along a tunnel through the gatehouse. The top of the
tunnel commonly had murder holes to allow defenders to attack
invaders trying to breach the inner doors. Drawbridges were common
in conjuction with gates to facilitate passing the moat; moats were
often used to increase the effective height of the walls.
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