Question

What is alnico?

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this we must know that alnico is a metal which is made by combining two or more metallic elements. Alnico is made to give greater strength and good resistance to corrosion. Alnico is made up of iron, aluminium, nickel and cobalt.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We know that a metal which is made by combining two or more metallic elements to give greater strength and good resistance to corrosion is known as an alloy. Alnico is made by combining two or more metallic elements. Alnico is made to give greater strength and good resistance to corrosion. Thus, alnico is an alloy.

Alnico as the name suggests contains ${\text{Al}}$ i.e. aluminium, ${\text{Ni}}$ i.e. nickel and ${\text{Co}}$ i.e. cobalt. Alnico is an alloy of iron i.e. the important constituent of alnico is iron. Along with iron, alnico contains aluminium, nickel and cobalt. Sometimes copper and thallium can be present in trace amounts.

Like iron, alnico has very strong magnetic properties and high ferromagnetism. Thus, it is used in producing strong magnetic fields and it is resistant to demagnetisation. The magnetic properties of alnico can be maintained at a very high temperature of around ${800^ \circ }{\text{C}}$. Alnico can conduct electricity and is highly resistant to corrosion. Alnico alloy can be used as a strong permanent magnet. Thus, alnico is an iron alloy along with some primary constituents like aluminium, nickel and cobalt.

Note: Depending on the composition of the constituent metals, different types of alnico can be produced. Cast alnico, sintered alnico, bar alnico are the types of alnico. Alnico is used in microphones, electric guitars, loudspeakers, electric motors, etc.