An alloye is a combination of two or more elements to from a
metallic solid solution. It’s an impure substance formed by two or more pure or
semi-pure substances. It is the impurities that add the desired characteristics
to the alloy.
The discovery of alloys dates back to prehistoric times when
man discovered that iron could be strengthened with the addition of carbon to
create wrought iron and copper and tin could be combined to make bronze.
This was the beginning of the Bronze Age with stronger
weapons, sturdier utensils and shinier jewellery.
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| Alloys |
Alloys are essential to all fields- construction,
transportation, medicine, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, military,
automobile… the list goes on. These hybrid metals are stronger and more durable
than the base metals that go into producing them, not to mention way more cost
effective.
Without the invention of alloys we would be left
deficient in many areas. The invention of the airplane which also features in
this list would have been impossible as there are no naturally occurring metals
that can withstand the immense pressures and streese of high altitudes. With no
corrosion resistant stainless steel electronic, agricultural, road and rail
industries would have to continually replace resources. We’d find ourselves
with large holes in our pockets from having to buy gold in its pure 24-karat
from if we didn’t have cheaper options courtesy the invention of the alloy.
