fémet

Fémet is the Hungarian term referring to metal. In Hungarian, fém denotes a substance with metallic properties, including elemental metals and alloys; fémet is the accusative singular form used when the metal is the direct object of a sentence. Metals are typically dense, good conductors of electricity and heat, malleable, ductile, and lustrous, with atoms held together by metallic bonds and forming crystalline structures.

Most metals occur in ores and are extracted through mining, followed by refining processes such as smelting or electrolysis. After refinement, metals may be used in the form of elements or alloys, depending on the application. Major categories include ferrous metals, which contain iron (for example steel and cast iron), and non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, and lead. Alloys such as steel, bronze, and brass combine metals to achieve specific properties.

Metals have been central to human civilization since ancient times, with early metallurgy giving rise to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. In modern industry, metals underpin construction, transportation, electronics, energy, and manufacturing. Environmental concerns include mining impacts, energy use, and resource depletion, while recycling metals reduces demand and waste.