INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Properties of metal
1. shiny surface
2. high melting point
3. good conductor of heat and electricity
4. high tensile strength
5. ductile
Disadvantages of metal
1. soft and not strong
2. corrodes

ALLOY
Alloy is a mixture that consists of two or more metals or elements in a fixed composition.
Alloy

Composition

Properties

Uses

Mild steel

99% iron
1% carbon

Very tough

Building bridges and wires.

Stainless steel

74% iron
18% chromium
8% nickel
0-1% carbon

Resists corrosion

Cutlery,chemical plant,machine parts

Duralumin

95% aluminium
4% copper
0.5% magnesium

Strong and light

Aircraft construction,electric cables

Bronze

90% copper
10% tin

Hard and strong

Ornaments,statues,medals, swords

Brass

70% copper
30% zinc

Hard, shiny and ductile

Ornaments,electrical appliances,musical
instruments,gas valves,propellers

Pewter

97% tin
3% copper and
antimony

Hard and resists corrosion

Ornaments, souvenirs

Cupronickel

75% copper
25% nickel

Hard, shiny and resists

corrosion

Coinage

Solder

70% lead
30% tin

Low melting point

Metal contacts in electrical circuits

Constantan

60% copper
40% nickel

High electrical resistance

over a wide range of
temperature

Thermocouples,electrical resistors

ARRANGEMENT OF ATOMS IN PURE METAL AND IN AN ALLOY

1. Pure metal is soft

Pure metal consists of atoms which are the same size , arranged closely and orderly in layers.
These layers of atoms can slide on one anothr when a force is exerted.
Therefore, metal is ductile (can be made in to thin strips or wires)
2. In alloy, foreign atoms are wedged in between the metal atoms.
These foreign metals have bigger or smaller sized atoms that disturb the order of atoms
in pure metal.
These foreign metals obstruct the layers of atoms from sliding easily. Thus the alloy is
stronger.
Draw a diagram for the experiment to compare the hardness of alloy and pure metal.

Purpose for alloying

1. Increase hardness
Carbon is added to iron to produce carbon steel which is harder than iron.
2. Prevent corrosion
Nickel or chromium is added to iron and tin to prevent corrosion.
3. Improve appearance
To produce a shiny surface, metals are alloyed with nickel or chromium.
Example : cupronickel, pewter, bronze