Alloys and types of steel

Alloys

An alloy is a substance made by melting two or more elements together, at

least one of them metal. An alloy crystallizes upon cooling into a solid
solution, mixture, or intermetallic compound. The components of alloys
cannot be separated using a physical means. An alloy is homogeneous and
retains the properties of a metal, even though it may include metalloids or
nonmetals in its composition. [ronak soni ] 0114ce161062
 Formation of Alloys
Combining several elements in different proportions forms an alloy. When an
alloy consists of two components, it is called a binary alloy. An alloy with three
components is a ternary alloy, and an alloy with four components is a quaternary
alloy. The resulting metallic substance has properties that are significantly
different from those of its components. Modifying the composition by 1% can
change the property of one unit of an alloy system. Based on its formation, the
alloy can be classified as:

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 ● Homogeneous alloy
● Mixture or heterogeneous alloy

In a homogeneous alloy, the mixture consists of only one phase and a

mixture alloy is a combination of several phases.a
 Alloy Examples
Examples of alloys include stainless steel, brass, bronze, white gold, 14k gold, and
sterling silver. Although exceptions exist, most alloys are named for their primary
or base metal, with an indication of other elements in order of mass percent.

Uses of Alloys
Over 90% of metal used is in the form of alloys. Alloys are used because their
chemical and physical properties are superior for an application than that of the
pure element components. Typical improvements include corrosion resistance,
improved wear, special electrical or magnetic properties, and heat resistance.
Other times, alloys are used because they retain the key properties of component
metals, yet are less expensive.
 Purpose of Making Alloys

Pure metals possess few important physical and metallic properties, such as melting point,
boiling point, density, specific gravity, high malleability, ductility, and heat and electrical
conductivity. These properties can be modified and enhanced by alloying it with some
other metal or nonmetal, according to the need.

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Alloys are made to:

● Enhance the hardness of a metal: An alloy is harder than its components. Pure
metals are generally soft. The hardness of a metal can be enhanced by alloying it
with another metal or nonmetal.
● Lower the melting point: Pure metals have a high melting point. The melting point
lowers when pure metals are alloyed with other metals or nonmetals. This makes
the metals easily fusible. This property is utilized to make useful alloys called
solders.
● Enhance tensile strength: Alloy formation increases the tensile strength of the
parent metal.
● Enhance corrosion resistance: Alloys are more resistant to corrosion than pure
metals. Metals in pure form are chemically reactive and can be easily corroded by
the surrounding atmospheric gases and moisture. Alloying a metal increases the
inertness of the metal, which, in turn, increases corrosion resistance.
 Preparation of Alloys
There are four commonly employed methods for the manufacture of alloys: the fusion
method, the electro-deposition method, the reduction method, and powder metallurgy.

The Fusion Method

This method uses alloying elements in a fixed proportion and fuses them together in a
refractory melting pot or in a brick-lined crucible. The component metal with a higher
melting point is melted first and then the other component with a lower melting point is
added to the melt. Both metal components are mixed well and allowed to melt further.
The molten mass is covered by powdered Carbon to avoid oxidation of the molten alloy
components because they are very reactive to the surrounding atmospheric oxygen. The
resulting molten mass is allowed to cool at room temperature.
The Electro-Deposition Method
This method involves simultaneous deposition of different component metals from the
electrolytic solution containing their salts solution mixture by passing direct electricity.

The Reduction Method

Metal may exist in the form of compounds. Reduction is a chemical process in which a
compound of one component can be separated from another component, to get a
pure metal. This method is performed in an electric furnace.
 Types of steel
Steel can be categorized into four types depending upon their chemical
composition:

● Alloy Steel
● Carbon Steel
● Stainless Steel
● Tool Steel
1. Alloy Steel: This type of steel is composed of a number of other
materials such as aluminum, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel,
silicon, and titanium in varying proportions. It is used in auto parts,
electric motors, pipelines, power generators, and transformers
[alloy steel] [carbon steel]

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1. Carbon Steel: This kind of steel contains trace amounts of alloying elements.

Carbon steels can further be classified into three categories –

a) Mild Steel or Low Carbon Steel has up to 0.3% carbon.

b) Medium Carbon Steel has 0.3 to 0.6% carbon.
c) High Carbon Steel has more than 0.6% carbon.
2. Stainless Steel: This kind of steel contains 10 to 20% chromium and are famed for
their high corrosion resistance.

Stainless steel can be further categorized based on its crystalline structure into three
groups –

a) Austenitic - It contains 18% chromium, 8% nickel, and less than 0.8% carbon.
b) Ferritic - This kind of steel contains trace amounts of nickel, 12-17% chromium, less
than 0.1% carbon and other alloying elements such as aluminum, molybdenum, or
titanium.
c) Martensitic - It contains 11-17% chromium, less than 0.4% nickel, and 1.2% carbon.
[stainless steel] [tool steel]

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1. Tool Steel : This type of steel is made using cobalt, molybdenum,
tungsten and vanadium in varying quantities to increase its durability
and heat resistance.

There are three categories of tool steel which based on their shapes
and applications are –

a) Long or Tubular Products - mostly used in the automotive and

construction industries.
b) Flat Products - used in appliances, automotive parts,
constructions, packaging, and shipbuilding.
c) Other products made using tool steel includes fittings, flanges,
piping, and valves.

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