Types of Metal Alloys
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 4.5.1
Types of Metal Alloys
Metal alloys are materials composed of two or more metallic elements. Metal alloys can be classified into several categories.
Ferrous alloys
- Ferrous alloys contain iron as the primary constituent.
- The most common ferrous alloy is steel.
- Steel is composed of iron and carbon.
- Stainless steel is another widely used ferrous alloy.
- Stainless steel incorporates chromium, nickel, and other elements.
- Stainless steel improves the resistance to corrosion.
Non-ferrous alloys
- Non-ferrous alloys do not contain iron as the primary constituent.
- Non-ferrous alloys include aluminium alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys, and nickel alloys.
- Copper alloys include brass and bronze.
Precious metal alloys
- Precious metal alloys include metals like gold, silver, and platinum.
- Precious metal alloys are used in jewellery-making, electronics, and dental applications.
Shape memory alloys
- Shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit unique properties, such as:
- The ability to recover their original shape.
- High strength.
- Excellent corrosion resistance.
- SMAs include a nickel-titanium alloy called nitinol.
- SMAs are used in medical devices, aerospace, and robotics.
Superalloys
- Superalloys are high-performance alloys.
- Superalloys are designed for conditions of extreme temperature and stress.
- Superalloys are used in aerospace engines and gas turbines.
- Nickel-based superalloys are used most commonly.
- This is because of their exceptional heat resistance and mechanical strength.
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