Alloys and their uses
Alloys are a mixture of metals. They are added together when they are molten.
Some metals by themselves do not have all the properties
needed for the job designers and engineers want them to do.
By creating alloys, the pure metal can be strengthened or
have other enhanced properties.
Alloys are used to make coins, bridges, some jewellery,
artificial joints, drinks cans, bicycles, car bodywork, tanks,
screws and more.
Activity 1
Cut out the boxes and match each alloy, what it is made from and its uses.
Alloy
What it is mainly
made from
Uses
aluminium alloy
iron and carbon
jewellery
brass
titanium, aluminium and
vanadium
sculptures and ship’s
propellers
solder
aluminium and
magnesium
musical instruments,
doorknobs, fixtures and
fittings on a boat
gold alloy
copper and usually tin
to join parts of an
electrical circuit
titanium alloy
gold and copper
used to make car bodies
bronze
lead and tin
replacement joints
steel
copper and zinc
air industry
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19994
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Alloys and their uses
Activity 2
Answer the following questions about alloys:
1.
We can change the properties of some metals by creating alloys – adding specific metals to
them. How can a metal alloy be different from a pure metal?
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2.
Why is an alloy of aluminium used instead of pure aluminium when building aircraft?
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3.
Aluminium can combine with other metals to create very strong and useful alloys. Give some
examples of their uses.
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4.
Why is pure iron not very useful? Which non metal is added to iron to make steel and what
effect does it have on its properties?
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5.
Chromium and nickel can also be added to steel to make stainless steel. What properties
does stainless steel have and what is it used for?
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19994
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Alloys and their uses
6.
Coins contain mostly copper, as well as small amounts of other metals. Why are copper
alloys used to make coins?
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7.
Alloys are used to make parts for ships. What properties must an alloy have when it may be
in contact with seawater?
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8.
Gold is used in jewellery making. Why are wedding rings made of a gold-copper alloy?
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9.
Some alloys are used within the body to help improve dental or orthopaedic conditions.
What properties must an alloy have when it may be inside the body?
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10.
Nickel titanium is a smart alloy also known as Nitinol. What property does Nitinol have and
what are its uses?
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© www.teachitscience.co.uk 2012
19994
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Alloys and their uses
Answers
Activity 1
Alloy
What it is mainly
made from
Uses
aluminium alloy
aluminium and
magnesium
air industry
brass
copper and zinc
musical instruments,
doorknobs, fixtures and
fittings on a boat
solder
lead and tin
join parts of an electrical
circuit
gold alloy
gold and copper
jewellery
titanium alloy
titanium, aluminium and
vanadium
replacement joints
bronze
copper and usually tin
sculptures and ship’s
propellers
steel
iron and carbon
used to make car bodies
Activity 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Stronger, harder, more malleable.
Aluminium is not strong enough by itself. Alloys are harder and more rigid but still
low density.
Saucepans, drinks cans, space vehicles, aircraft, cooking foil, bikes, boats.
Pure iron is too bendy. Carbon is added to it. It makes it harder and less flexible.
Hard, rust resistant. Uses: cutlery, saucepans, sinks, surgical instruments, nuts and
bolts.
Coins need to be stamped and copper alloys do not wear down or corrode.
Not corrosive to seawater.
To make the ring hard wearing.
Hard wearing; does not react with body fluids; not too heavy; able to be shaped to
fine details needed for implant.
Shape memory property. Uses: glasses frames, plane components, robotics.
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19994
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