Alloys Flashcards
What is an alloy?
An alloy is a mixture of two elements, one of which is a metal. They have different properties to the metal they contain. This makes them more useful than the pure metal.
Why are most alloys harder than most pure metals?
The alloys contain atoms of different sizes which distorts the regular arrangement of atoms. This makes it harder for them to slide over each other.
What is the main metal in amalgam and what is its typical use?
Main metal: Mercury Typical use: Dental fillings
What is the main metal in brass and what are its typical uses?
Main metal: Copper and zinc Typical use: Hinges, electrical plugs
What is the main metal in solder and what are its typical uses?
Main metal: Lead and tin Typical use: Joining metals together
Nitinol is a smart alloy. What is it an alloy of, what are its properties and what are its uses?
Nitinol is an alloy of nickel and titanium and it is known as a shape memory alloy. It can be bent out of shape, and then returns to its original shape when it is heated or an electrical current is passed through it. They are used for spectacle frames - if they are bent out of position they return to their normal shape if put in hot water.
