Question

What are alloys? How are they made? Name the constituents and uses of Brass, Bronze and Solder.

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that alloy is a substance or compound formed through the combination of two or more metals. These can also be formed from the combinations of metals and other elements as well. The properties exhibited by alloys are usually very different from the properties of its individual components.

Complete answer:
Let us begin with the discussion of alloys as follows:-
-Alloys: These are the substances or compounds formed by the combination of two or more metals. These can also be formed from the combinations of metals and other elements as well. Usually the properties exhibited by alloys are very different from the properties of its individual components as alloys may have more strength and potential as compared to their constituent elements.
-Also alloying elements are generally added to a base metal in order to induce toughness, hardness, ductility, or other required properties. Most alloys are hardened by creating defects in their crystal structure and these are created during plastic deformation through hammering, bending or extruding.
-Constituent elements and uses of following alloys:-
(a) Brass: It is formed by the combination of copper and zinc (varying proportions depending on the properties required).
Brass has various unique properties which also includes corrosion resistance due to which it is preferably used in tools, appliance parts, ammunition components, fasteners and connectors (fittings).
(b) Bronze: It is formed by the combination of copper and tin.
These are used in sculptures, musical instruments and in various artifacts due to its lustrous property and being hard, ductile and malleable at the same time.
(c) Solder: It is formed by the combination of tin and lead.
It is a kind of fusible metal alloy that is used to create a permanent bond between metal workpieces by melting it at the place of connectivity or joints and letting it cool down.

Note:
-Remember that when a molten metal is mixed with another substance or metal to form an alloy, there are two mechanisms for its formation which are called atom exchange and the interstitial mechanism.
-In atom exchange a few metal atoms of the first element replaces a few metal atoms of another element whereas in an interstitial mechanism, metal atoms of first element insert in the interstitial sites of the other metal.