INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
Properties of metal
1. shiny surface
2. high melting point
3. good conductor of heat and electricity
4. high tensile strength
5. ductile
Disadvantages of metal
1. soft and not strong
2. corrodes
ALLOY
Alloy is a mixture that consists of two or more metals or elements in a fixed composition.
Alloy
Composition
Properties
Uses
Mild steel
99% iron
1% carbon
Very tough
Building bridges and wires.
Stainless steel
74% iron
18% chromium
8% nickel
0-1% carbon
Resists corrosion
Cutlery,chemical plant,machine parts
Duralumin
95% aluminium
4% copper
0.5% magnesium
Strong and light
Aircraft construction,electric cables
Bronze
90% copper
10% tin
Hard and strong
Ornaments,statues,medals, swords
Brass
70% copper
30% zinc
Hard, shiny and ductile
Ornaments,electrical appliances,musical
instruments,gas valves,propellers
Pewter
97% tin
3% copper and
antimony
Hard and resists corrosion
Ornaments, souvenirs
Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel
Hard, shiny and resists
corrosion
Coinage
Solder
70% lead
30% tin
Low melting point
Metal contacts in electrical circuits
Constantan
60% copper
40% nickel
High electrical resistance
over a wide range of
temperature
Thermocouples,electrical resistors
ARRANGEMENT OF ATOMS IN PURE METAL AND IN AN ALLOY
1. Pure metal is soft
Pure metal consists of atoms which are the same size , arranged closely and orderly in layers.
These layers of atoms can slide on one anothr when a force is exerted.
Therefore, metal is ductile (can be made in to thin strips or wires)
2. In alloy, foreign atoms are wedged in between the metal atoms.
These foreign metals have bigger or smaller sized atoms that disturb the order of atoms
in pure metal.
These foreign metals obstruct the layers of atoms from sliding easily. Thus the alloy is
stronger.
Draw a diagram for the experiment to compare the hardness of alloy and pure metal.
Purpose for alloying
1. Increase hardness
Carbon is added to iron to produce carbon steel which is harder than iron.
2. Prevent corrosion
Nickel or chromium is added to iron and tin to prevent corrosion.
3. Improve appearance
To produce a shiny surface, metals are alloyed with nickel or chromium.
Example : cupronickel, pewter, bronze