8.

1 Alloy and Its Importance

1. An alloy is a substance formed from a mixture of two or more elements in which
the main element is a metal.
2. A foreign atom (impurity atom) may be composed of other metal atoms or non-metal
atoms such as carbon.
3. The process of mixing foreign atoms into pure metal by melting is called alloying.
4. Alloying is intended to:
(a) Increase the strength and hardness of the metal.
(b) Prevent metal corrosion
(c) Improve the appearance of the metal to make it more attractive.

Comparison of Properties of Alloys and Pure Metals

1. The strength and hardness of an alloy depends on the arrangement of the particles.
2. Figure 8.1 shows the comparison between the properties of alloys and their pure
metals.

3. A pure metal is soft and less strong.

4. Atoms of pure metals have similar size and are arranged closely and orderly but
there are still spaces between the atoms.
5. When a force is applied on pure metals, the layers of atoms in the metal can easily
slide against each other.
6. This condition causes the pure metal to be ductile that is it can be pulled into a
fine wire.
7. When knocked down or pressed, the layer of pure metal atoms in the metal will
slide to fill the empty spaces between the pure metal atoms and form a new
structure.
8. This property causes pure metal to be malleable, that is it can be knocked into
various desired shapes.

9. Size of foreign atoms which are mixed may be bigger or smaller than the pure
metal atoms.
10. The foreign atoms fill the empty spaces between pure metals atoms and disrupt
the orderly arrangement of the pure metal atoms.
11. This will cause the foreign atoms to prevent the layers of metal atoms from sliding
over each other easily.
12. Therefore, alloys are harder and stronger than pure metals.
Justifaction of The Uses of Alloys based on Their Composition and
Properties
1. Scientists produce different alloys for specific usage.
2. The uses of alloys are based on the composition and properties of the alloys.
3. The properties of alloy such as strong and hard, resistant to corrosion and have
a shiny surface enable them to be used to make various items daily life.

4. Besides the uses of alloys shown in the Table, alloys are also used in electrical
transportation.
5. A superconductor is an example of an alloy that functions in improving the
efficiency of electrical transportation as used in electrical trains.
6. These alloys enable the construction of trains floating on superconductor
magnets and allow the train to move at very high speeds.
8.2 Composition of Glass and Its Uses

1. The main component of glass is silica or silicon dioxide, SiO₂ which is obtained
from sand.
2. The basic properties of glass are shown in the bubble map below.

Types of Glass
1. The simplest glass is the fused silica glass.
2. Most of the glasses are produced by mixing molten silica, SiO₂ with other
compounds.
3. Glass can recycled. Glass can also be melted and solidified repeatedly.
4. Different types of glass have different uses.

8.3 Composition of Ceramics and Its Uses

1. Ceramics are solid comprising of inorganic and non-metallic substances.

2. It is produced through shaping and hardening at a high temperature.

3. Ceramic is mainly composed of the following material:

(a) Metal compounds such as aluminium oxide, Al₂O₃

(b) Non-metal compounds such as titanium carbide ,TiC

(c) Metalloid compounds such as silicon carbide, SiC

4. Unlike glass, ceramics cannot be recycled. Ceramics, that have been solidified
cannot be melted again as they are extremely heat resistant.

5. Ceramics melt at high temperatures, hard and can