What is an alloy?

Ø An alloy is a combination of metals or metals combined with one or more other

elements. For example, combining the metallic elements gold and copper
produces red gold, gold and silver becomes white gold, and silver combined with
copper produces sterling silver.
Ø Alloys tend to have lower melting points than pure metals.
Ø They also tend to be harder (less malleable) and have greater tensile strength.
Ø The added metal atoms can distort the lattice structure.
Ø The distortion of the lattice structure makes it more difficult for the layers to slide
over each other.
Ø There are two main types of Alloys:
o Substitutional Alloys are metal alloys formed by substituting one metal atom
for another metal atom of similar size.

Brass Bronze Steel

Alloy of 99% iron and 1%
Alloy of 70% copper and Alloy of 90% copper, usually
carbon. May contain other
30% zinc. Commonly with 10% tin, but sometimes
Compositio metals such as aluminum,
contains lead. May include other elements, including
n copper, nickel, chromium,
iron, manganese, aluminum, manganese, phosphorus,
molybdenum, vanadium,
silicon, or other elements. silicon, and aluminum.
cobalt, and tungsten.
Golden yellow, reddish gold, Usually reddish brown and Often have a dark brownish
Color
or silver not as bright as brass color
More malleable than copper Better conductor of heat and
Extremely resistant to
or zinc. Not as hard as steel. electricity than many steels.
corrosion. Great formability
Corrosion resistant. Exposure Corrosion resistant. Brittle,
Properties and durability, good tensile and
to ammonia may produce hard, resists fatigue. Usually a
yield strength. Good thermal
stress cracking. Low melting slightly higher melting point
conductivity.
point. than brass.
Musical instruments,
Bronze sculpture, bells and
plumbing, decoration, low-
cymbals, mirrors and Railways, boats, bridges,
friction applications (e.g.,
Uses reflectors, ship fittings, cooking utensils, packaging,
valves, locks), tools and
submerged parts, springs, and electrical transformers.
fittings used around
electrical connectors.
explosives.
Bronze is an older alloy, Steel has been around since the
Brass dates back to around
History dating back to about 3500 Iron Age, which lasted from
500 B.C.E.
B.C.E. about 1200 BCE to 550 B.C.E.
o Interstitial Alloys are metal alloys formed by inserting smaller atoms into
holes of the metal lattice.