Chemistry · Ch 8 — Transition and Inner Transition Elements
Formation of Alloys
Formation of Alloys
Transition metals form alloys, where atoms of one metal are distributed randomly in the lattice of another metal. The metals with similar radii and similar properties readily form alloys.
Alloys are classified into ferrous and non-ferrous.
Ferrous alloys have atoms of other elements distributed randomly in atoms of iron in the mixture. As the percentage of iron is more, they are termed ferrous alloys — e.g. nickel steel, chromium steel, stainless steel etc. All steels have 2% carbon.
"All steels have 2% carbon." is the book's own sentence, carried as printed. The book's own comparison table in section 8.9.2 states steel contains 0.2 to 2% carbon — read the 2% here as the upper limit of that range.
Non-ferrous alloys are formed by mixing atoms of a transition metal other than iron with a non transition element — e.g. brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. Ferrous and non-ferrous alloys are of industrial importance.
Uses of alloys
- Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, is tough, strong and corrosion resistant. It is used for making statues, medals and trophies.
- Cupra-nickel, an alloy of copper and nickel, is used for making machinery parts of marine ships, boats — for example, marine condenser tubes (the book prints "machinary").
- Stainless steels are used in the construction of the outer fuselage of ultra-high speed aircraft. …