Alloys
Alloys
An alloy is a metallic intimately mixed solid mixture of two or more different elements, at least one of which is metal.
Alloys are homogeneous in molten state but they may be homogeneous or heterogeneous in solid state.
Important alloys & their uses
| Alloys | Compositions | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | Cu (70%) + Zn (30%) | In making utensils |
| Bronze | Cu (90%) + Sn (10%) | In making coins, bell and utensils |
| German Silver | Cu + Zn + Ni (60% + 20% + 20%) |
In making utensils |
| Rolled gold | Cu (90%) + A1 (10%) | In making cheap ornaments |
| Gun metal | Cu + Sn + Zn + Pb (88% 10% 1% 1%) | In making gun, barrels, gears & bearings |
| Delta metal | Cu + Zn + Fe (60% 38% 2%) | In making blades of aeroplane |
| Munz metal | Cu (60%) + Zn (40%) | In making coins |
| Dutch metal | Cu (80%) + Zn (20%) | In making Artificial ornaments |
| Monel metal | Cu (70%) + Ni (30%) | For base containing container |
| Rose metal | Bi + Pb + Sn (50% 28% 22%) | For making automatic fuse |
| Solder | Pb (50%) + Sn (50%) | For soldering |
| Magnalium | A1 (95%) + Mg (5%) | For frame of Aeroplane |
| Duralumin | A1 + Cu + Mg+ Mn (94% 3% 2% 1%) | For making utensils |
| Type metal | Sn + Pb + Sb (5% 80% 15%) | In printing industry |
| Bell metal | Cu (80%) + Sn (20%) | For casting bells, statues |
| Stainless steel | Fe + Cr + Ni + C (75%, 15%, 10%, 0.05%) | For making utensils and surgical cutlery |
| Nickel steel | Fe (95%) + Ni (5%) | For making electrical wire, automobile parts |
Amalgum
An alloy in which one of the component metals is mercury, is called amalgam.
In alloys, the chemical properties of the component elements are retained but certain physical properties are improved.