C15.2 Useful alloys

Mixtures of metals

In the alloy - differently sized metal ions make it harder for the layers to slip - they are jammed in position

Mixing copper with tin

Used to make ship’s propellers because of its toughness and resistance to corrosion Also used to make statues and decorative items

Making copper with zinc

It can be hammered into sheets and pressed into intricate shapes This property is used to make musical instruments such as trumpets

It has a low density for a metal It is lightweight but strong They are used to build aircraft or armour plating on tanks

Mixing gold with copper

The purity of gold

Divide the carat number by 25

Alloys with iron with carbon/ other elements By controlling the amounts of elements - the properties of steels can be changed for their different users

By removing most of the carbon from the iron obtained from a blast furnace

To make bodies such as of : cars, machinery or ships

Very strong - but brittle

Soft and easily shaped - but not as strong But much less likely to shatter on impact with a hard object

Used to make long-span bridges - bicycle chains and military armour plating This is because they are very resistance to stretching forces

Operates in very hot conditions so used to make high speed tools such as drill bits

The chromium-nickel steel

Combine hardness and strength with great resistance to corrosion - unlike most other steels they do not rust Make them useful for cooking utensils and cutelry

To make reaction vessels This makes chemical plants expensive to set up But the pipework and reaction vessels often have to withstand high temperatures and pressures as well corrosive chemicals