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Manufactured substances in industry -Alloy-

A Metal Alloy (Steel Wire)

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Introduction

Arrangement of atoms in metals Pure metals Pure metal is made up of one type of atoms, thus all atoms are of the same size. In solid state ,the atoms in a pure metal are orderly arranged and closely packed together. Thus, pure metals have high densities.

Although the forces of attraction between the metal atoms are strong, they are not rigid. Therefore when a force is applied the layers of atoms can slide over one another. Thus metals are ductile or can be stretched.

Force

Layers of atoms slide over one another Figure 1 : Metals are ductile

The arrangement of atoms in pure metals are not perfect. There are some empty spaces in between the atoms. When a metal is knocked or pressed groups of atoms may slide and then settle into new position .So, metals are malleable.

Force

Figure 2 : Metals are malleable Pure metals are weak and soft due to their ductility and malleability

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Objective

The objective of doing this pholio is : to know more about alloy

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Information conceived / content Meaning of alloy

An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements with a certain fixed composition in which the major component is a metal. Pure metals are normally soft and easily oxidised. This is the reason why monuments or statues are made of bronze (an alloy) and not copper(a pure metal). Alloy are stronger, harder, resistant to corrosion, have a better finish and lustrous.

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Aim of making alloys

The aim of making alloy is: (a) to increase the strength and hardness of a pure metal (b) to increase the resistance to corrosion of a pure metal (c) to improve the appearance of a pure metal

Figure 3 : Making alloy

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Examples of alloys, their composition, properties and uses

Alloy Bronze Brass

Composition 90% copper, 10% tin 70% copper 30% zinc

Properties Uses Hard,strong,does not corrode Medals,statues,monuments,art easily,shiny surface Harder than copper objects Musical instruments, kitchenware, door knobs,bullet Hard,strong Shiny,strong,does not rust cases,electric parts,ornaments Buildings,bridges,body of cars, railway tracks Cutlery,surgical instruments,sinks, Light,strong pipes Body of aircraft and bullet trains

Steel Stainless steel Duralumin

99% iron 1% carbon 74% iron, 8% carbon 18%chronium 93%aluminium 3% copper 3%magnesium 1%manganese 96% tin 3% copper 1% antimony

Pewter

Shiny, corrode

strong,does

not Art objects,souvenirs

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Discussion An alloy is a partial or complete solid solution of one or more elements in a

metallicmatrix. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while

partial solutions give two or more phases that may be homogeneous in distribution depending on thermal (heat treatment) history. Alloys usually have different properties from those of the component elements. Alloys' constituents are usually measured by mass. The main aim of making alloys is to produce a stronger metal from the constituent pure metals. Therefore, the alloy can be made into many more uses after the process as it is stronger and has much more resistance. Alloying one metal with other metal(s) or non metal(s) often enhances its properties. For example, steel is stronger than iron, its primary element. The physical properties, such as density, reactivity, Young's modulus, and electrical and thermal conductivity, of an alloy may not differ greatly from those of its elements, but engineering properties such as tensile strength and shear strength may be substantially different from those of the constituent materials. This is sometimes due to the sizes of the atoms in the alloy, since larger atoms exert a compressive force on neighbouring atoms, and smaller atoms exert a tensile force on their neighbours, helping the alloy resist deformation. Sometimes alloys may exhibit marked differences in behaviour even when small amounts of one element occur. For example, impurities in semi-conducting ferromagnetic alloys lead to different properties, as first predicted by White, Hogan, Suhl, Tian Abrie and Nakamura. Some alloys are made by melting and mixing two or more metals. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was the first alloy discovered, during the prehistoric period now known as the Bronze Age; it was harder than pure copper and originally used to make tools and weapons, but was later superseded by metals and alloys with better properties. In later times bronze has been used for ornaments, bells, statues, and bearings. Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. Unlike pure metals, most alloys do not have a single melting point, but a melting range in which the material is a mixture of solid and liquid phases. The temperature at which melting begins is called the solidus, and the temperature when melting is just complete is called the liquidus. However, for most alloys there are a particular proportion of constituents (in rare cases too) the eutectic mixture which gives the alloy a unique melting point. 5.0 Alloys Conclusion

Made from metal and other elements. Examples and composition: Bronze:Copper & tin Brass:Copper & zinc Steel:Iron & carbon Pewter:Tin,Copper & Antimony Stainless Steel: Iron,carbon & chronium

Alloys is made from metal and other elements. Examples and composition: Bronze:Copper & tin Brass:Copper & zinc Steel:Iron & carbon Pewter:Tin,Copper & Antimony Stainless Steel: Iron,carbon & chronium

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References

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