Introduction
The Soviet Union was a former state established in 1922, comprising of 15 republics and known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This collapsed in 1991 and independence was considered the primary cause of its dissolution. Raw materials and industrial production within the Soviet Union (especially the production of black metals) suffered significantly due to this collapse. Black metals, commonly referred to as non-ferrous metals, are defined as a group of metals that do not contain iron. Notable examples of these metals include copper, aluminum, lead, nickel, and zinc.
This article will examine the key types of black metals produced by the Soviet Union and their associated markings. Some of these metals were used for the production of goods for consumption within the Soviet Union, while others were available for export.
Types of Black Metals and their Markings
Copper: Copper is one of the most commonly used non-ferrous metal in the Soviet Union, and it was marked with the letter “K”, standing for “kupitel” – which meant buyer in Russian. Copper was used for a number of applications such as electrical wiring and for production of coins and medals.
Aluminum: Aluminum was also used quite frequently in the Soviet Union, with the symbol “A” inscribed on it. It was used for the production of goods such as cans and hardware, as well as for aircraft and automobile parts.
Lead: Lead was another metal that was used frequently, marked with the letter “P” meaning plumbum – the Latin name for lead. It was mainly used for the production of ammunition and military equipment, but was also useful to help shield nuclear submarines.
Nickel: Nickel was marked with the letter “Oh” (O-kistaniyu), and it was used mainly as a component in stainless steel, but also as a component in other items such as jewelry.
Zinc: Zinc was marked with the letter “Z” (tsink or cink). This metal had a variety of uses in the Soviet Union, including for the production of electrical appliances and machinery, as well as for particular types of art.
Conclusion
The Soviet Union made frequent use of non-ferrous metals for a range of applications. Some of these metals were used for the production of goods for consumption within the Soviet Union, while others were available for export. The types of black metals used by the Soviet Union and their associated markings included copper (marked with the letter “K”), aluminum (marked by the letter “A”), lead (marked with the letter “P”), nickel (marked with the letter “Oh”) and zinc (marked with the letter “Z”).
