UNIT-III- ALLOYS & PHASE RULE

Definition- alloys

It is a homogeneous solid solution of two or

more different elements, at least one of them
being metal. Ex- Hg amalgam.
 Significance & Purpose of alloying
Pure metals are very soft and highly chemical active.
The properties of a metal can be improved by alloying.
To increase the hardness of the metal
Generally metals are soft, but their alloys are hard.
Ex: Gold and silver are soft metals, they are alloyed with
copper to make them hard
To lower the melting points of the metal
• The melting points of alloys are very lower than their
component metals.
• Ex: Melting point of Brass (Cu-Zn)  900-940 0C.
• Melting point of copper  1083 0C
• Melting point of Zinc  419 0C
• To resist the corrosion of the metal
• Metals in pure form are quite reactive and easily corroded by
surrounding, thereby life is reduced. But if a metal is alloyed,
it resists corrosion.
• Ex: Pure iron gets rusted - but when it is alloyed with carbon
(or) Cr –Resist corrosion.
• To modify the chemical activity of the metal
• Chemical activity of the metal can be increased (or) decreased
by alloying.
• Ex: Na amalgam is less active than Na. but Al amalgam is
more active than Al.
• To modify the colour of the metal
• Alloying modifies the colours of metal.
• Ex: Brass Alloy (Cu-Zn)  Yellow, Cu- red + Zn (Silver
white).
• To get good casting of metal
• Ex: An alloy of Pb + 5 % tin + 2% Antimony  used for
casting property.
 Ferrous alloys or Alloy Steels
• Ferrous alloy- It contains iron as the major components. The
properties of the alloy can be improved by the presence of
some alloying elements like Ni, Cr, Co etc.
Properties
• High strength
• Sufficient formability, ductility and weldability
• Resistant to corrosion & abrasion
• Distortion and cracking are less
• At high T strength is greater.
 i) Nichrome
• It is an alloy of Ni & Cr.
Composition: Ni- 60%, Cr-12%, Fe-26 %, Mn-2%.
Properties:
• It is a chemical, oxidation and heat resistant.
• It possess high melting point.
• It has high electrical resistance.
• It can be used upto 1100 0C.
Uses:
• It is used for making heating elements in
stoves and resistance coils.
• It is used for machineries and equipments
exposed to very high Temperature.
• It is used as parts of electric irons and other
household electrical appliances.
• It is used as parts of boilers and aero-engine
valves etc.
 ii) Stainless Steels
• It contain chromium(Cr) together with other
elements such as Ni, Mo etc. Cr is effective. Its
content is 16% or more. Carbon- 0.3-1.5%.
• Two Types
• i) Heat Treatable Stainless steels
• ii) Non - Treatable Stainless steels
• a) Magnetic
• b) Non-Magnetic
 i)Heat treatable ii) Non-Heat treatable stainless steel
stainless steel
They possess less strength at high T. They
Composition: Cr-12- are more resistant to corrosion.
16%, C-1.2 % Two Types
•
Properties: a) Magnetic a) Non-Magnetic
 They are magnetic & Composition Composition Cr- 18-26 %
tough. Cr- 12-22 % Ni – 8-21 %
 Can be worked in cold C – 0.35 %. C – 0-15 %.
condition. 18/8- Stainless Steel-
 Can be used upto 800 0C. 18 % Cr & 8 % Ni
Uses Properties: Properties:
Used for making surgical  Resistance to  Resistance to Corrosion
instruments, scissors, blades, Corrosion Uses
cutlery etc
Uses  Making household
 Making Chemical utensils, sinks, dental &
equipments & surgical instruments.
automobile parts
 Heat treatment of steel (Alloys)
Definition: The process of heating and cooling of
solid steel article under carefully controlled
conditions.
• Types:
• Annealing: It means softening. This is done by
heating the steel to high temperature, followed by
slow cooling in the furnace.
• Two Types:
• i) Low Temperature annealing
• ii) High Temperature annealing
• Hardening or Quenching : It is the process of heating steel
beyond the critical temperature and then suddenly cooling it in oil
or brine water.
• Purpose:
• i) To produce high speed tools ii) To increase abrasion resistance.
• Tempering : It is the process of heating the already hardened steel,
to a temperature lower than its own hardening temperature and then
cooling it slowly.
• Purpose:
• i) To reduce hardness ii) To increase toughness iii) cutting tools like
blades, cutters require tempering.
• Normalising : It is the process of heating steel, to above the higher
critical temperature and followed by slow cooling in air.
• Purpose:
• i) To produce homogeneity in structure ii) To increase toughness iii)
To improves the mechanical properties.
• Carburising : It is the process of heating the metal alloy
in the presence of charcoal in a cast iron box at a
temperature to about 900-950 0C and allowed to cool
slowly. The outer skin of the article is converted into
high-carbon steel.
• Purpose: i) To produce hard-wearing surface on steel
article.
• Nitriding : It is the process of heating the metal alloy in
the presence of ammonia at a temperature to about 550
0C. The nitrogen combines with the surface of the alloy

to form hard nitride.

• Purpose: i) To get super hard surface.