Alloys

Pure metals
Pure metals have the following physical properties :
✔ High density
✔ High melting and boiling points
✔ Good conductors of heat and electricity
✔ Malleable
✔ Ductile
✔ Lustrous

1. The properties of a pure metal are reflected by its arrangement of

atoms.
2. Pure metal is made up of one type of atoms, thus all atoms are of
the same size.
3. In the solid state, the atoms in a pure metal are orderly arranged
and closely packed together. Thus , pure metals have high
densities.
4. Metal atoms are orderly arranged in layers to form a three-
dimensional crystal lattice.
5. The forces of attraction between the very closely-packed atoms are
very strong, thus a large amount of energy is required to overcome
these forces. As a result, pure metals have high melting and boiling
points.
6. 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.
7. The arrangements 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 positions. This explains why metals are malleable or can be
shaped.
8. Pure metals are weak and soft due to their ductility and malleability.
Thus, pure metals have limited uses.
9. To improve the properties of a pure metal, it is made into an alloy.
What is alloys?
1. An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements with a certain fixed
composition in which the major component is a metal.
2. Most alloys are mixtures of metals. For example, bronze is an alloy
of copper and tin. Both pure copper and tin are soft. When copper is
alloyed with tin, bronze which is stronger and harder is produced.
3. Some alloys may contain mixtures of a metal and a non-metal such
as carbon. For example, steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Iron is a
soft metal. When some carbon is added to iron, steel which is
stronger and harder is formed.
4. Pure metals are normally soft and easily oxidized. This is the reason
why monuments or statues are made of bronze ( an alloy ) and not
copper ( a pure metal ).
5. Cutlery is made of stainless steel and not steel or iron. This is
because stainless steel is shiny and does not rust.
6. Alloys are stronger, harder, resistant to corrosion, have a better
finish and lustrous.
7. By changing the percentage compositions of the metals, the
properties of the resulting alloy can be altered.

Why make alloys?

The aim of making alloy is :

✔ To increase the strength and hardness of a pure metal

✔ To increase the resistance to corrosion of a pure metal
✔ To improve the appearance of a pure metal

a. To increase the strength and hardness of a pure metal

In the process of making alloys, atoms of other elements are added,
usually in small amounts, into a molten pure metal. When the metal
becomes solid again, the positions of some of the atoms of the pure
metal are replaced by atoms of other elements of different sizes.
 The presence of the atoms of other elements disrupts the orderly
arrangement of the pure metal. The layers of metal atoms are
prevented from sliding over one another easily. This makes alloys
stronger and harder than pure metals.

During the making of steel, carbon atoms which are smaller that
iron atoms are added into iron atoms. As a result, the uniformly of
the arrangement of iron atoms is disrupted and it is more difficult
for the layers of the iron atoms to slide over one another. This
makes steel harder and stronger than pure iron.

b. To increase the resistance to corrosion of a pure metal

Unreactive metals such as gold and silver can be found in the free
state. This is because they do not react with oxygen and water
vapour in the air.

Most metals such as iron and copper corrode readily in air.

Alloying can prevent metals from corrosion. This is because alloying

helps to prevent the formation of oxide layer on the surface of the
metal.

For example, carbon, chromium and nickel are added to iron to

make stainless steel. Cutlery made from stainless steel does not
corrode.

c. To improve the appearance of a pure metal

Metals have lustrous surfaces. However the formation of dull metal
oxide on the surface of a metal makes it quickly lose its shine.

Alloying helps to keep the metal surface shiny as it prevents the

formation of the metal oxide.

For example, atoms of antimony and copper are added to tin to

make pewter. Pewter has a more lustrous surface than tin.
The composition, properties and uses of some alloys
Composit
Alloy Properties Uses
ion
Cupronickel Cu 75% Hard, strong,
Coins
(Coins) Ni 25% resists corrosion
Al 95%
Aeroplane parts, electric
Duralumin Cu 4% Light, strong
cables, racing bicycles
Mg 1%
Fe 99% Hard, strong, Vehicles, ships, bridges,
Steel
C 1% cheap buildings
Fe73% Kitchen appliances,
Stainless Cr 18% Hard, rust watches, machine parts,
steel Ni 8% resistant
C 1% knives, forks, spoons
Cu 90% Hard, strong, Decorative items, medals,
Bronze
Sn 10% shining artwork, pots and pans
Decorative items, electrical
appliances, musical
Cu 70% Harder and
Brass
Zn 30% cheaper than Cu instruments, bell, nails,
screw, pots
Pb 50% Low melting point,
Snider Welding and soldering work
Sn 50% strong
Sn 91%
Malleable, ductile,
Pewter Sb 7% Decorative items, souvenirs
rust resistant
Cu 2%
Al 70% Tyre rim of racing cars,
Magnalium Light, strong
Mg 30% skeletal body of aeroplanes

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