Properties of metal alloys
The properties of alloys are influenced not only by their composition, but also by the methods of mechanical and heat treatment. Back in the 19th century, new practically useful alloys were sought by trial and error, learning also to distinguish metals from non-metals. And only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, metal alloys and their properties were studied more deeply thanks to fundamental discoveries in the field of physical chemistry.
The following types of alloys exist in metal science:
- Chemical compound. (Formed as a result of chemical interaction).
- Solid solution. (The atoms that make up the alloy form a common crystal lattice).
- Mechanical mixture. (It is characterized by self-crystallization of each alloy element).
- Mechanical properties of alloys
The main mechanical properties are viscosity, plasticity, strength, creep, hardness, wear resistance, endurance. These are the main characteristics of all metal alloys.
Physical properties
The physical properties of alloys include specific gravity, electrical conductivity, coefficients of volumetric and linear expansion, thermal conductivity, melting point, weldability.
Chemical properties of alloys
The chemical resistance of alloys and metals is determined by their ability to resist the chemical effects of various aggressive media. A typical example of chemical attack is the process of corrosion (oxidation of metals).
