ALLOYS

Meaning of Alloy
1. Alloys are materials that contain more than one element.
2. Usually, alloys are mixtures of metallic elements – two or more metals.
3. Pure aluminium is light but not strong enough ho manganese andmagnersium are
added then an alloy duralumin is formed. This alloy is hard and strong for
aeroplane frames.
4. Thus, an alloy is a mixture of metals made for certain purpose.

Arrangement of Atoms in Metals

1. In pure metals, the atoms are all of the same size.
2. They are arranged in layers in the figure below.
3. When the pure metals are hit with a hammer, the layers of atoms can slide over
each other easily.
4. Thus, pure metal can easily change its shape. They are said to be :
a) ductile as they can be drawn into long wires
b) malleable as they can be hammered t oform any shapes

Arrangement of Atom in Alloys

1. Alloys have more than one kid of atoms. These different atomos are different
sizes. They are mixed when they are in the molten state (liquid).
2. The layers of atoms in an alloy cannot slide over each other as easily.
3. This movement of atoms get jammed up. This makes them difficult to move.
4. This makes the alloy not ductile and not malleable.
5. However, alloys are harder and stronger than the original constituent metals.
6. There are different ways of arranging the different atom in alloys.
a) Solution alloys are homegenous alloys in which the different atoms are
distributed uniformly throughout.
b) In heterogeneous alloys, the different atoms are not distributed uniformly.
7. Homogeneous alloys have definite preperties and compositions.

Aim of Producing Alloys

1. The basic aim of making alloys is to mofidy the properties of the pure metal
elements. Sometimes this is necessary to make ornaments.
2. Pure gold is too soft to be used in jewellery. However, an alloy of copper and gold
is quite hard for this purpose.
3. To prevent or minimize corrosion
a) Iron is easily corroded especially in polluted, acidic and damp industrial
areas
b) An iron alloy will be less likely to rust if carbon, nickel, or chromium is
added to it.
c) Stainless steel is an alloy of iron. It will not resut even under extreme
conditions.
d) The presence of chromium in it, will form chromium (III) oxide.
 e) The presence of nickle in it will form nickel (IV) oxide.
f) The presence of layers of these oxides will prevent corrosion and
oxidation.
4. To improve the physical appearance.
a) Fresh metal surfaces are usually shining
b) These shining surfaces are usually tarnished if they are coated with a layer
of oxides.
c) Alloys are not easily oxidised. This is because the oxide layers are not
easily formed. Thus, surfaces of alloys will remain shining for a longer
time.
d) Stainless steel utensils are more shining then iron utensils.

Composition, Properties and uses of alloys

1. Like metals, all alloys are conductors of
a) heat
b) electricity
2. Like metals too, all alloys have shining surfaces. They have a lustrous
appearance. However, most alloys are more shiny than pure metals if they are
kept for a long time. This is because alloys do not corrode or oxidise easily.
Metals tend to have a layer of oxides after some time.
3. Alloys are less ductile than metals. That is unlike metals, alloys are not easily
made into wires.
4. Alloys are less malleable than metals. They are not easily hammered into sheets.
Properties of Alloy

Alloys Parent metal Other metals Special Main suitable

properties uses
Alnico Fe: (75-49)% Al: (6-12)% Strongly Permanent
Bi: (14-13)% magnetic magnets
Co: (5-35)%
Constantan Cu: 60% Ni: 40% High resistance Thermocouple
Copper-nickel Cu: 75% Ni: 25% Hard, shining Coins
and lasting
Brass Cu: 70% Zn: 30% Does not corrode Ship boilers
easily
Bronze Cu: 90% Sn: 10% Very hard and Ship propellers
strong
Duralumin AL: 95% Cu: 30% Strong and light Aircraft bodies
Mn: 1%
Mg: 1%
Magnaleum Al: 70% Mg: 30% Hard but light Aircraft
structures
Pewter Sn: 97% An and Cu: 3% Hard and shining Decoration
items and gifts
Solder Pb: 70% Sn: 30% Low melting Soldering wire
point
Stainless steel Fe: 74% Cr: 18% Strong and does Hospital and
Ni: 8% not rust chemical
equipment,
cutlery
Soft steel Fe: 99.8% C: 0.2% Malleable,ductile Cables, nails,
chains
Medium steel Fe: (99.8- C: (0.2-0.6)% Stronger than Railways,
99.4)% soft steel cantilevers
High carbon Fe: (99.4- C: (0.6-1.5)% Very hard Knives, springs
steel 98.5)%