Alloys

Alloys
A mixture of two or more elements with a
certain fixed composition in which the major
component must be a metal
 There foreign atoms of different sizes disrupt
the orderly arrangement of the metals so that
the properties of the pure metal are improved
Characteristic of alloy
 Stronger
 Harder
 More resistant to corrosion
 More lustrous than their pure metal
Arrangement of atoms in pure metal
 Since all the atoms are of the same size, in
solid state, these atoms are orderly arranged
and closely packed together. Thus, pure
metals have high density
 The atoms in metal are orderly arranged in
layers to form three-dimensional crystal
lattice
Ductility of metals
 Allthe atoms are of the same size and
orderly arranged, thus the layers of atoms
can slide over one another easily when a
force is applied
Malleability of metals
 Thereare some empty spaces in between
the atoms of pure metals
 Whena metal is knocked or pressed,
groups of atoms may slide and settle into
new positions due to the imperfertion
Aims of making alloys
 To
increase the strength and hardness of a
pure metal
 To
increase the resistance to corrosion of a
pure metal
 To
improve the appearance of a pure
metal
Composition, properties and uses of
some alloys
Alloy Composition Properties Uses
Bronze 80% copper, 20% tin Hard, strong, does Medals, statues,
not corrode easily, monuments, art materials
shiny surface

Brass 70% copper, 30% zinc Harder than

copper, shiny
Musical instruments,
kitchenware, door knobs,
surface bullet cases

Cupro-nickel 75% copper, 25% Beautiful surface,

shiny, hard, does
Coin
nickel
not corrode easily

Steel 99% iron, 1% carbon Hard, strong Buildings, bridges, body of

cars, railway track

Stainless 74% iron, 8% carbon, Shiny, strong, does

not corrode
Art objects, souvenirs
3% magnesium,1%
steel manganese
 Alloys Composition Properties Use
Duralumin 93% aluminium, 3% Light, strong Body of air crafts, bullet
trains, racing bicycles
copper, 3%
magnesium, 1%
manganese
Pewter 96% tin, 3% copper, Shinny, strong, does
not corrode
Art objects, souvenirs
1% antimony
Solder 50% tin, 50% lead Hard, shinny, low
melting point
Solder for electric wires
and metal

9-carat gold 37.5% gold, 51.5% Shiny, strong, does not

corrode
Jewelry
copper, 11% silver
Examples of Alloys
Arrangement of atoms in alloys
 Thepresence of atoms of other metals that
are of different sizes disturb the orderly
arrangement of atoms in the metal. This
reduces the layer of atoms from sliding. Thus,
an alloys is stronger and harder than its pure
metal.
Thank You