2.5.1
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 everyday life are alloys.

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.

Brass
- Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
- Adding zinc makes the material more malleable.
- Uses include door fittings and water taps.

Gold
- Pure gold is soft and so jewelers 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.
- Therefore, 18 carats = 75% gold.

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.

Aluminum
- A key feature of aluminum alloys is their low density, which makes them suitable for use in manufacturing aircrafts.
- Other uses include armor plating for military vehicles.
Forming Alloys
Alloys are formed typically through melting two or more elements and then solidifying them to create the alloy.

Types of alloy
- Some alloys contain a mixture of metals while others can have non-metals involved, such as Carbon.
- The purpose of an alloy is to create a material with physical properties superior to the individual metals themselves.
- Alloys can broadly be classed as either substitutional or interstitial.

Substitutional alloys
- A substitutional alloy occurs when one atom of one type of metal replaces another type of metal atom, in other words, it substitutes.
- For example, brass is a substitutional alloy in which copper and zinc atoms are mixed throughout the metallic bonds.
 2.2.7.2 - alloy structure,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Interstitial alloys
- An interstitial alloy occurs when an atom of small enough radius fills the spaces between the metallic atoms.
- Typically, carbon is used to fill these spaces and helps create a stronger material by effectively filling in the empty spaces that may otherwise cause the alloy to be weak.
- For example, steel is an interstitial alloy of carbon and iron.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail6.9.3Extended Response - Titration6.9.4Titration Calculations6.9.5Titration Curves6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations6.9.8Polyprotic Acids6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail6.9.3Extended Response - Titration6.9.4Titration Calculations6.9.5Titration Curves6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations6.9.8Polyprotic Acids6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Practice questions on Alloys
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- 1Example metal alloysFill in the list
- 2What type of alloy is brass?Multiple choice
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