Learning objective
7Cp.06 Understand that alloys are mixtures that have different chemical and
physical properties from the constituent substances
7Cp.07 Use the particle model to explain the difference in hardness between
pure metals and their alloys
Success criteria
- I can describe some alloys and their uses.
- I can explain that alloys have different properties from the metals they
are made from.
- I can explain the differences in the hardness of metals and their alloys
using particle theory.
Resources - Video, Learner's book and Research
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow
An alloy is any mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and
another substance. Alloys are made because they combine the
properties, such as lightness or strength, of the different metals
which make them up.
In metals the atoms are arranged tightly in rows. The rows
can slide over each other and this makes the metal soft. Sudden
pressure, however, can cause cracks to form across the rows,
making the pure metal brittle. When another metal is added, its
atoms help to strengthen the first metal. It does this by holding
the parts of the metal together, so stopping its rows from sliding
over each other.
An alloy’s properties depend on exactly what it is made of.
Steel, for example, which is an alloy of iron and carbon, combines
strength with ease of use. It can easily be worked into different
shapes in a forge. It can also be melted without releasing
poisonous fumes. Steel’s hardwearing properties are increased by
adding manganese. Steel-manganese alloys are used for
industrial cutting equipment.
Some pure metals, such as gold and silver, are good at
resisting corrosion, so they are ideal for use outside. But they are
very expensive. Some alloys are just as good at resisting
corrosion, yet are much cheaper to produce. Brass, an alloy of
copper and zinc is a good example. Some alloys, such as bronze,
a mixture of copper and tin, are easily shaped, even at room
temperature. Because of this, bronze has been used for
thousands of years to make decorative objects.
Like steel and brass, alloys of aluminium and magnesium, for
example, duralumin, are strong and corrosion resistant. But they
are also much lighter. They are used for aircraft and bicycle
frames.
Metallurgists (scientists who study metals) have discovered
that metals are often strongest if they are alloyed with only very
tiny amounts of other substances. This has made it possible to
create alloys that are very strong but still light.
The elements nickel, iron and cobalt have all been used as
the main ingredient in what are called superalloys. These alloys
are not only extremely strong, but also retain their strength even
when exposed to great temperatures for long periods. They are
used in jet and rocket engines. Since the nineteen fifties, the
mining of titanium, a metal as strong as steel but with half its
weight, has become affordable. Titanium is widely used in alloys
that form the bodies of planes.
Questions
1. Use different colours to highlight or underline the following
points in the text.
(a) The definition of an alloy
An alloy is any mixture of two or more metals, or a metal
and another substance.
(b) A reason why alloys are made
Alloys are made because they combine the properties,
such as lightness or strength, of the different metals
which make them up.
(c) How atoms are arranged in a pure metal
In metals the atoms are arranged tightly in rows.
(d) How an alloys strengthens a metal
Sudden pressure, however, can cause cracks to form
across the rows, making the pure metal brittle. When
another metal is added, its atoms help to strengthen
the first metal. It does this by holding the parts of the
metal together, so stopping its rows from sliding over
each other.
(e) What an alloys properties depend on
An alloy’s properties depend on exactly what it is made
of.
(f) The names of three alloys
steel, gold and silver
(g) The name of scientists who study metals
Metallurgists
(h) What is special about superalloys
These alloys are not only extremely strong, but also
retain their strength even when exposed to great
temperatures for long periods
2. Look at the particle pictures. From the description in the
text, label which one is the metal and which one is the alloy.
alloy
metal
3. What elements are used to make the alloys named below:
(a) Steel iron and carbon
(b) Brass copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)
(c) Bronze copper and tin
(d) Duralumin aluminium, magnesium, manganese, and
copper.
4. Answer the questions about some alloys.
(a) What useful properties does steel have?
ductile
(b) Why has bronze been used for thousands of years to make
decorative objects?
It’s easy to malleable
5. Use different colours to match each of the alloys in the
table to its properties and use.
Alloy Use Properties
Bronze Bike frame Shiny and
decorative when
polished.
Stainless steel Metal tools Tough, and doesn’t
tarnish.
Brass Ship building Practically
unbreakable.
Doesn’t splinter or
shatter.
Aluminium alloy Door handles Highly resistant to
corrosion by
seawater
Toughened steel cutlery Strong and much
lighter than steel.
6. Explain the difference between the purity of 18 carat gold
and 24 carat gold.
24 carat is purier
7. Why are some glasses frames made from shape memory
alloy?
It can against the different shape
8. Why do we use pure copper for our coins?
Because it hard
