Alloys

What is an alloy?
- An alloy is a mixture of a metal with one or a few other elements (usually metals or non-
metals).
- Alloys are made by mixing the molten elements(metals or metals and carbon) in the right
proportion and then allowing them to solidify.
- Alloys are widely used and in great demand because, they tend to
(i) improve the strength and hardness of metals
(ii) improve the appearance of metals

(iii) improve resistance of metals against corrosion

(iv) lower the melting points of metals.

The table below shows examples alloys, their compositions, properties and uses
Alloy Composition Special properties Use
Stainless Steel Iron, chromium, nickel Resistant to corrosion Cutlery, utensils, medical(surgical)
and carbon instruments, kitchen sinks.
Steel Iron and carbon Harder and stronger than Used in construction of bridges
iron Used to make cutting tools, razor
Resistant to rusting blades, chisels and house hold
Has high tensile strength materials like spoons, forks and
saucepans
Brass Copper and zinc Does not corrode easily, Musical instruments,
attractive yellow colour. Decorative ornaments, coins
Bronze Copper and tin Resistant to corrosion Used to make coins
Used to make medals
solder Tin and lead Low melting point Used to join up parts of electrical
circuits
Duralumin Aluminium, copper Hard but light Aircraft construction, bicycle parts
magnesium or and small boats
manganese.
Pewter Tin, antimony and Bright, shiny colour like Decorative ornaments
copper. silver
Determining purity
Every day, you will come across different substances. Some of them are pure. Others are not
pure- they are mixtures.
How is a pure substance different from a mixture?
− A pure substance is one, which is made up of particles of the same kind.
− Or; A pure substance is one which has distinct physical and chemical properties that are only unique to
it.
− Or; A pure substance is one that contains only one substance in a specified state.

Or; A pure substance is one that is made up of only one substance and is not mixed with any other
substance
For example, white diamond is made only of carbon therefore, its pure but coloured diamond is impure
because it contains substances other than carbon.
A mixture is a substance that contains two or more elements or compounds that are not chemically
combined.
A pure substance can either be an element or a compound but not a mixture, this is
because a mixture is made up of many different particles and cannot be made to
have only one substance
Is it important to determine whether a substance is pure?
Yes, it is important to ensure that our medicines, food and drinks contain only
chemicals that are safe for consumption. Hence it is important to ensure the purity
of these chemicals.
How do we determine whether a substance is pure?
1. Pure solids have fixed melting points
A solid is pure if it has an exact and constant or fixed melting point. This means that a pure solid melts at
one temperature.
Take water for example, the melting point of ice is 0℃.
What is the effect of impurities on melting point?
Impurities affect the melting point of a substance in two ways
• They lower the melting point. The greater the amount of impurities, the lower the melting point of the
substance.
• They cause melting to take place over a range of temperatures. For example, an impure sample of melt
over a range of 118-121℃
2. Pure liquids have fixed boiling points
A liquid is pure if it has an exact and constant(fixed) boiling point. The boiling point of pure water is
100℃.
What is the effect of impurities on boiling point?
If a liquid is impure, its boiling point will increase. The liquid will also boil over a range of
temperatures.