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More About Alloys
- Snigdha Suresh
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
An alloy is a homogenous mixture of two or more metals or a metal and a nonmetal in a definite proportion. They are usually produced by melting the components of the mixture. For example, brass is made out of zinc and copper and bronze is made out of copper and tin. These alloys were especially important during ancient times.
Alloys are designed to enhance specific properties such as strength, ductility, conductivity etc. For example, stainless steel is used in kitchens and aluminium alloys are used in aeroplanes.
Common alloys
Steel alloys
The most important alloys today are steel alloys. These are defined as steels containing elements other than iron and carbon. The common elements used for alloying steel are chromium, nickel, manganese,tungsten, silicon and boron. The properties of these alloys are toughness, hardness, corrosion resistance, strength etc. These alloys are used in various industries such as construction, automotive, manufacturing and aerospace.
Aluminium alloys
Aluminium can be combined with specific amounts of elements such as copper, silicon, manganese, zinc etc. This is done to alter the mechanical and physical properties. For example, mixing aluminium with magnesium makes it lightweight and useful in aerospace and automotive industries. Many aircraft components are made from aluminium alloys.
Brass alloys
These alloys mostly contain copper and zinc. Brass is known for its malleability and corrosion resistance. Its attractive appearance also makes it ideal for making decorative pieces. It is used to make jugs, lamps, bowls, basins and other such household items. It is also used to make window and door fittings, faucet handles and sprinkler heads. Ancient Romans would use brass to make jewelry, armours and vessels.
Alloys have proved to be useful in various industries including manufacturing, transportation, electronics and energy. Researchers are attempting to develop alloys with impressive properties that can help us in our daily lives.
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