Alloy is a metallic substance composed of two or more elements, as either a compound or a solution. Majorly the constituents of alloys are metals, however carbon being a non-metal, is an essential component of steel, one of the most used alloys. Alloys are popular since the use of pure metals is a rarity nowadays. The main reason for using alloys in daily life is mainly due to its better durability and strength.
| Table of Contents |
Key words: Alloys, Metals, Uses, Non-metals, Constituents, Steel, Bronze
Uses of Alloys
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The application of alloys in our daily lives is essential since metals in their purest form cannot be used for regular uses. Following are the uses of alloys in daily life:
- Some alloys have attributes related to that of pure metals such as conductivity, ductility and resistance against corrosion.
- A superalloy, which has around 10 alloying elements, is usually used within a microwave cooker or baking oven.
- Due to the high tensile strength and hardness of alloys, they are used in gas burners, washing machine tubs, grinder blades and other daily use materials such as in production of parts of cars and bikes.
- Alloys of aluminium and steel, majoritarily constituted of iron, are mainly used for kitchen utensils and other kitchen uses.
- Gold in its purest form can’t be worn due to its soft nature and hence is doped with copper which makes it wearable.
Learn More About:
| Concepts Related to This Topic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Periodic Table | Metals & Non- Metals | Ionic Bonds |
| Electron | Monoatomic Gases | Oxidation |
Common Examples of Alloys
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There are a variety of metal alloys and their uses in our daily lives. The composition and uses of such alloys is given below:
| Name of Alloy | Composition of Alloy | Uses of Alloy in Daily Life |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | 34% zinc + 66% copper | Doorknobs, utensils, plumbing, musical instruments, zippers, electronics, tools etc. |
| Bronze | 83% copper + 12% tin + 5% miscellaneous metals | Marine fittings and fixtures, electrical connectors, medals, bells etc. |
| Sterling Silver | 92.5% silver + 7.5% copper | Jewellery, utensils, art, photography, surgical and medical instruments etc. |
| Stainless Steel | 82% iron + 18% chromium and nickel | Utensils, surgical instruments, watches, construction raw material etc. |
| Coin Metal | 75% copper + 25% nickel | Making of coins |
| Solder Metal | 50% tin + 50% lead | Electrical wires and equipment, etc. |
Things to Remember
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- Alloys are the substance created upon mixing two or more elements.
- Metals are the most common constituents of alloys.
- Alloys have the main purpose of having the best of all its constituents and hence, are tougher, less brittle and more appealing.
- Steel, bronze, brass and sterling silver are some of the most commonly found alloys.
- Alloys have a lot of daily life uses including making of jewellery and utensils, use in kitchen and electrical appliances and much more.
Also Check:
| Concepts Related to This Chapter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Metals | Physical Properties | Metallurgy |
| Occurrence of Metals | Metals & Non-Metals Formula | Noble Gases |
| Carbon and its Compounds | Reactivity Series | Refining of Metals |
Previous Year's Questions
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Sample Questions
Ques: What is meant by an alloy? (2 marks)
Ans: Two or more metals or additional elements, make up an alloy. A variety of metals or elements can be added to an existing metal to improve its characteristics. Pure aluminium and pure copper, for example, are considerably softer metals. When copper and aluminium are alloyed together, the resultant alloy is stronger than the metals in their natural forms.
Ques: Give some examples of alloys and their chemical composition. (4 marks)
Ans: Following are some popular alloys and their composition:
| Name of Alloy | Composition of Alloy |
|---|---|
| Brass | 34% zinc + 66% copper |
| Bronze | 83% copper + 12% tin + 5% miscellaneous metals |
| Sterling Silver | 92.5% silver + 7.5% copper |
| Stainless Steel | 82% iron + 18% chromium and nickel |
Ques: How are alloys made? (2 marks)
Ans: Alloys are both man-made and naturally found. Alloys like steel and brass are made in laboratories and factories whereas some silver and gold alloys are found in nature. Meteorites are iron-nickel alloys that occur naturally.
Ques: Why can alloys not be separated even though it is a mixture of two or more elements? (3 marks)
Ans: Alloy, even though being a mixture of more than one metal, cannot be separated into individual elements. They have both the physical and chemical properties of its constituents. Hence, the metals mixed to make alloys cannot be separated by physical means and if a chance of separation is present, both the metals would have to be dissolved and separated chemically.
Ques: What are the applications of alloys in the aerospace industry? (3 marks)
Ans: Aluminium is a light metal and its alloys are widely used in the aerospace industry. The alloys designed especially for aircrafts are high strength and have the ability to deal with the extremities of pressure, temperature and vibration. Stainless steel, nickel, copper and their alloys are also used for making engine blocks. These alloys are designed to have high corrosion resistance, extreme strength and efficiency at unusually high temperatures.
Ques: How do alloys have multiple uses in our daily lives? Specify. (5 marks)
Ans: We are surrounded by multiple alloys in our lives. Following are some of the ways alloys have been used in our daily life:
- Manufacturing of kitchen utensils
- Plumbing and construction material
- Automobile parts and transport material
- Manufacturing of silverware, jewellery & ornaments
- Medical and surgical instruments
- Electrical wire and parts
- Decorative items
- Furniture and appliances
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