Science of war-metallurgy-alloy

Addition of small amounts of another substance can significantly alter the properties of a metal. The substances are melted and then allowed to cool to form an alloy which is a mixture of two or more substances. Depending on the substances used alloys with desirable properties can be manufactured .

Examples of alloys include:
- steel which is a mixture of iron and less than 2% carbon;
- stainless steel is a mixture of iron and small amounts of chromium and nickel;
- bronze is a mixture of copper and tin;
- 14 carat gold is a mixture of gold, copper and silver.

Metallurgy-alloys
Metal atoms are arranged in a three dimensional array, as shown on the right. Atoms of a pure metal can be easily pushed aside when a force is applied to the crystal structure. For example, gold is a very soft metal and so other metals are mixed in to make it stronger and more durale. A measure of gold's purity is the carat. The higher the percentage of pure gold, the higher the carat. 24 carat = 100% gold 18 carat = 75% gold 14 carat = 58.3% gold 10 carat = 41.6% gold Other metals mixed in with gold to make it harder are are copper and silver.
Pure iron can not be used for the construction of huge structures. However when you mix carbon and iron, at a percentage of approximately 2% by mass, a significantly stronger metal is formed called steel.
Addition of small amounts of another substance can significantly alter the properties of a metal. The substances are melted and then allowed to cool to form an alloy which is a mixture of two or more substances. Depending on the substances used alloys with desirable properties can be manufactured . Examples of alloys include: - steel which is a mixture of iron and less than 2% carbon; - stainless steel is a mixture of iron and small amounts of chromium and nickel; - bronze is a mixture of copper and tin; - 14 carat gold is a mixture of gold, copper and silver.
Some alloys tend to be harder than the pure metal. Steel is harder than iron. Carbon atoms that exist between the charged iron atoms prevent the layers from sliding past one another.
Some alloys conduct an electrical current poorly compared to other metals, such as copper. When an electrical power supply is connected to a metal wire the electrons flow in one direction past the metal atoms. Consider the diagram on the right. It shows electrons flowing through an alloy. An alloy has many obstructions in its atomic structure to electron flow. These obstructions prevent the smooth flow of electrons through the metal. Why do you think certain alloys make poor conductors of electricity? Metals are good conductors of heat. This is because electrons help spread the heat along the metal surface. Would heat flow well through an alloy that is a poor conducter of electricity? Look at the animation on the right.
Activity - make your own alloy..
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