A mixture contains two or more substances that are not united chemically to form a compound. An alloy is a mixture of metals that may also contain non-metals. Alloys behave as metals.
Alloys are made because the properties of the mixture - such as, for example in strength or corrosion resistance - are superior to the starting materials.
List of Examples of Alloys
| Alloy | Components | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| amalgam (dental) | mercury, silver, tin, copper | Hg content is about 50%, Ag is 22-32%. About 1% Zn may also be added. |
| brass | copper, zinc | Cu content is about 65% in the softest brasses and 35% in the hardest brasses. May also contain Pb, Si, Sn, Fe, Al, and Mn. |
| bronze | copper, tin | Sn content is about 12%. Other elements such as Al, As, Mn, Ni, P, Si, and Zn may be added to improve strength or ductility. |
| duralumin | aluminum, copper, manganese, magnesium | Al content is 95%, Cu 4%, Mg 0.5%, and Mn 0.5%. May also contain Si. The alloy is stronger than pure Al for structural use in cars, aircraft, etc. |
| pewter | tin, copper, antimony, bismuth | Sn content is 85-99%. Lead and silver may also be added. |
| solder | tin, lead | Sn content is 5 - 70%. More Sn leads to higher shear and tensile strength. For specialist applications, other elements including Bi, Ag, and Zn can be added. |
| solder (lead free) | tin, zinc, copper | Sn content is 50 - 95%. Cu may be replaced by Ag. |
| steel | iron, carbon | C content is usually lower than 2%. |
| steel (stainless) | iron, chromium, carbon | Cr content is at least 12%; Ni may also be added to inhibit corrosion. |
| steel (tool) | iron, carbon, manganese, chromium, tungsten, silicon, vanadium | C content is 0.6 - 1.3%. Other elements vary from 0 - 2%. |