It is a homogeneous solid solution of two or more different elements, one of which at least is essentially a metal.

Generally pure metals possess some useful properties such as high melting point, high densities malle ability, ductility, good thermal and electrical conductivity. As we seen above the properties of a given metals can be improved by alloying it with some other metal or non metal

Purpose:

• To increase the hardness of the metal
• To lower the melting points of the metal
• To resist the corrosion of the metal
• To modify chemical activity of the metal

To create an alloy, the metals (or a metal and a nonmetallic element) are heated until they are molten. The two elements are mixed and the solution is poured into metal or sand molds to solidify. The resulting alloy is a combination of the two elements. Typically, the primary ingredient is melted first, and the others are added to it.

Properties:

One of the things that need to be understood about metals is that the makeup of an alloy is the incredibly important to the alloy’s various properties. A little too much of this or not enough of that can drastically alter the alloy’s ability to perform its job correctly. Compared to pure metals, alloys have many more benefits and uses.

The more you understand about these elements, the better equipped you are to choose and use the correct products for your brazing operation.

It’s important that the materials selected for any part of the industrial process are up to the task. Luckily, the latest developments in alloy production have created materials that are more than a match for even the most volatile of chemical processes.

There are many alloying elements added to steel to achieve various enhanced properties.

1. Silicon
2. Copper
3. Tungsten
4. Boron
5. Lead

Stainless steel:

While stainless steel gets a large part of its corrosion resistance from chromium, there are near-endless combinations of various metals marketed as stainless steel today.

Along with copper, bronze and brass belong to a category of metals referred to as “red metals” due to their distinct reddish color of the alloy.

All the talk of metals price increases makes it hard to know what relative contribution each of the elements makes to the overall cost of stainless steel. Believe it or not, many people are not even aware that all stainless steels are mostly iron.