10.3.2

Alloys

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Metal Alloys

An alloy is a metal that is mixed with other elements. By adding these other elements, we can change a metal's properties. Most metals that we use in day-to-day life are alloys.

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Bronze

  • Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
    • Adding tin increases the hardness of the material.
    • Uses include making coins, electrical hardware and statues.
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Brass

  • Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
    • Adding zinc makes the material more malleable (easy to bend).
    • Uses include hinges, locks, plumbing and plug sockets.
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Gold

  • The softness of pure gold means that jewellers will often add metals such as silver, copper and zinc to produce a more resilient substance.
  • Carats provide a measure for the purity of a gold alloy:
    • 24 carats = 100% gold
    • So, 12 carats = 50% gold
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Steel

  • Steels are alloys of iron that contain carbon as well as other metals.
    • High carbon steels are strong but brittle. Uses include making cutting tools and blades.
    • Low carbon steels are soft but malleable. Uses include making car bodies.
    • Stainless steels (steels containing chromium and nickel) are strong and resistant to corrosion. Uses include cooking utensils and cutlery.
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Aluminium

  • A key feature of aluminium alloys is their low density, which makes them suitable for use in manufacturing planes.
  • Other uses include armour plating for military vehicles.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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