Material science has advanced with needs of our industries. A particular material may be the best from one perspective but may not be in other. For example pure aluminium is light in weight but it isn’t highly tensile.
Video Credits: BBC
Few other materials have high tensile strength but aren’t light in weight. How to obtain a material which is advantageous from all perspectives?
Instead of using a pure metal an alloy can be used which might be more advantageous. A single Alloy can exhibit characteristics of different materials.
What is an alloy?
An alloy is a combination of two or more metals, in some cases it may be a combination of metal and non-metallic components. Atleast one metal must be present for the combination to be an alloy.
How are alloys made?
Alloys are made by combining various metals at different concentrations. For example mild steel has 0.05%-0.25% carbon, 0.4% manganese and rest Iron. Do remember, steel isn’t a metal, it is an alloy which has Iron as its major constituent. Aluminium alloys are commonly used aerospace alloys. The common aluminium alloys used in aerospace industry are 2024, 5052, 6061, 6063, 7050, 7068, 7075. Some of the other alloys such as stainless steel, titanium and brass alloys are also used in building aircraft and spacecrafts.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Express your thoughts on this topic through a comment!