Alloys

• An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and non-metal
• Alloys are used because they have improved qualities for a particular job over the pure metals
• Alloy: Brass

  Made from: Copper and zinc

  Special properties: Stronger and more resistant to corrosion

  Uses: Electrical fittings, car radiators
• Alloy: Bronze

  Made from: Copper and tin

  Special properties: Harder, stronger and sonorous

  Uses: Statues, springs, coins
• Alloy: Stainless steel

  Made from: Iron, carbon, chromium and nickel

  Special properties: resistant to corrosion

  Used in: Kitchen sinks, cutlery, surgical instruments
• Metal alloys, due to the irregularity in atom sizes and structure which stop layers from sliding over each other, are stronger
• This is what the structure of an alloy (a) looks like, compared to a pure metal (b).