Alloys By: Cara Hobson

Definition and Examples Alloys- a solid combination of atoms of two or more metals An example of an alloy would be the immersion of a penny in hot zinc chloride solution which then produces a silvery alloy of zinc and copper called y-brass. Another example is magnelium. It is the alloy of magnesium and aluminum. Steel is an example of an alloy also. It is 99% Fe and 1% C. Chemists combined these two metals (carbon and iron) to form steel.

Information from the Textbook Alloys are a solid combination of tow or more metals. The results of alloying metals are often unexpected. Most alloys are formed with “solid solutions” but other alloys are formed from “well-defined compounds.” An example of this would be Ni3Al which is used for jet aircraft engines.

Information from the Internet An alloy can be made from a partial or complete solid solution of one or more elements in a metallic matrix. The difference between a partial solid solution and a complete solid solution is that a partial solution “gives two or more phases that may be homogeneous in distribution” depending on the thermal heat from when it was melted down. Complete solid solutions give single solid phase microstructure. Engineering alloys include the cast-irons and steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, zinc alloys and copper alloys.

Pictures and Explanations Th The picture to the left is an alloy of aluminum copper. To make this they first melt down the copper and melt down the aluminum. They then combine these two melted metals and let them cool together. The form one, aluminum-copper alloy. The picture to the right is of an alloy of bronze copper and brass. It is made of copper and brass. Chemists create this alloy to allow them to have a metal that has the properties of copper and brass in one metal.

Uses Alloys can be used to make stronger metals. It is also used in making jewelry Alloys come in handing for creating the frame of tires.

How does it relate to what we’ve learned? Alloys related to mixtures. They are mixing two or more metals together. Alloys are also related to chemical and physical changes because we are changing the natural state of the metals. Finally alloys relate to material per composition because you need to know how much of each metal to put in and how much of each metal is in an alloy.

Questions What are alloys? How can we use alloys? What is an alloy you use everyday?

Internet Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alloy http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/wofmate/Metals&Alloys.htm