Alloy: Difference between revisions

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Alloy

An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements, where at least one of the elements is a metal. Alloys are designed to have specific properties that are different from the constituent elements. They are widely used in various applications due to their enhanced mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.

Composition and Structure

Alloys are typically composed of a base metal and one or more additional elements. The additional elements can be metals or non-metals. The properties of an alloy depend on the types and proportions of the elements involved, as well as the method of production.

The structure of an alloy can be classified into two main types:

Substitutional alloys: These occur when the atoms of the added element replace some of the atoms of the base metal in the crystal lattice. An example is brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Interstitial alloys: These occur when the atoms of the added element fit into the interstices (small spaces) between the atoms of the base metal. An example is steel, which is an alloy of iron and carbon.

Properties of Alloys

Alloys are engineered to have specific properties that make them suitable for particular applications. Some of the key properties include:

Strength: Alloys are often stronger than pure metals. For example, stainless steel is stronger and more resistant to corrosion than pure iron.

Corrosion resistance: Many alloys are designed to resist corrosion. For instance, aluminum alloys are used in aircraft manufacturing due to their resistance to corrosion and lightweight nature.

Ductility and Malleability: Alloys can be more ductile and malleable than their constituent metals, making them easier to work with in manufacturing processes.

Conductivity: Some alloys, like copper alloys, are used for electrical applications due to their excellent conductivity.

Applications of Alloys

Alloys are used in a wide range of industries and applications, including:

Construction: Alloys such as steel are used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure due to their strength and durability.

Automotive: Alloys are used in the manufacturing of vehicles to improve performance and fuel efficiency. For example, aluminum alloys are used in car bodies to reduce weight.

Aerospace: The aerospace industry relies on alloys like titanium and aluminum for their strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to extreme temperatures.

Medical: Alloys such as titanium alloys are used in medical implants and devices due to their biocompatibility and strength.

Also see

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-Alloy is a mixture of two or more elements of which one is definitely a metal and all of them are mutually soluble in a liquid state which are fused above their melting point.
+Alloy
-* Depending on dominant phase system, alloy systems are classified as:
-=====Isomorphic (solid state/single phase)=====
-Two metals which are completely soluble in both liquid and solid state. Homogenous mixture of two or more kinds of atoms(of metals) occurs in solid state.
-Ex: sterling silver(92.5% Ag & remaining Cu); Brass(64% Cu & 36% Zn); Gold alloys
-=====Eutectic alloys=====
-These are the Binary alloys which are completely soluble in liquid but shows limited solid solubility. Eutectic alloys melt at a temperature lower than fusion temperature of both the metals. They are inferior to Solid solutions, hence used in the soldering. They are brittle but hard and has poor tarnish and corrosion resistance. Ex: Ag-Cu system
-[[File:Eutectic system phase diagram.svg|Eutectic system phase diagram]]
+An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements, where at least one of the elements is a metal. Alloys are designed to have specific properties that are different from the constituent elements. They are widely used in various applications due to their enhanced mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.
-=====Peritectic alloys=====
-A peritectic reaction is a reaction where a solid phase and liquid phase will together form a second solid phase at a particular temperature and composition. These reactions are rather sluggish as the product phase will form at the boundary between the two reacting phases thus separating them, and slowing down any further reaction. Peritectics are not as common as eutectics and eutectiods, but do occur in some alloy systems.
-Ex: Fe-C system
-=====Intermetallic system=====
-They are intermediate phase in solid solutions. Their bonding between different types of atoms are partly ionic. They form a new phase with its own composition, crystal structure and properties. They are very hard and brittle and shows mechanical properties similar to ceramic materials.
-Ex: Ag-Sn in Cu rich amalgam alloy.
-{{stub}}
+== Composition and Structure ==
-{{dictionary-stub1}}
+Alloys are typically composed of a base metal and one or more additional elements. The additional elements can be metals or non-metals. The properties of an alloy depend on the types and proportions of the elements involved, as well as the method of production.
+The structure of an alloy can be classified into two main types:
+* '''[[Substitutional alloys]]''': These occur when the atoms of the added element replace some of the atoms of the base metal in the crystal lattice. An example is [[brass]], which is an alloy of copper and zinc.
+* '''[[Interstitial alloys]]''': These occur when the atoms of the added element fit into the interstices (small spaces) between the atoms of the base metal. An example is [[steel]], which is an alloy of iron and carbon.
+== Properties of Alloys ==
+Alloys are engineered to have specific properties that make them suitable for particular applications. Some of the key properties include:
+* '''[[Strength]]''': Alloys are often stronger than pure metals. For example, [[stainless steel]] is stronger and more resistant to corrosion than pure iron.
+* '''[[Corrosion resistance]]''': Many alloys are designed to resist corrosion. For instance, [[aluminum alloys]] are used in aircraft manufacturing due to their resistance to corrosion and lightweight nature.
+* '''[[Ductility and Malleability]]''': Alloys can be more ductile and malleable than their constituent metals, making them easier to work with in manufacturing processes.
+* '''[[Conductivity]]''': Some alloys, like [[copper alloys]], are used for electrical applications due to their excellent conductivity.
+== Applications of Alloys ==
+Alloys are used in a wide range of industries and applications, including:
+* '''[[Construction]]''': Alloys such as steel are used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure due to their strength and durability.
+* '''[[Automotive]]''': Alloys are used in the manufacturing of vehicles to improve performance and fuel efficiency. For example, aluminum alloys are used in car bodies to reduce weight.
+* '''[[Aerospace]]''': The aerospace industry relies on alloys like titanium and aluminum for their strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to extreme temperatures.
+* '''[[Medical]]''': Alloys such as [[titanium alloys]] are used in medical implants and devices due to their biocompatibility and strength.
+== Also see ==
+* [[Metal]]
+* [[Steel]]
+* [[Brass]]
+* [[Bronze]]
+* [[Corrosion]]
+* [[Metallurgy]]
+{{Alloy}}
+[[Category:Materials science]]
+[[Category:Metallurgy]]
+[[Category:Engineering materials]]