Alloy

Any of a number of substances which are a mixture of two or more metals, such as bronze (copper and tin), brass (copper and zinc), or tumbaga (copper and gold). An alloy has properties superior to those of the individual metals. They are not simple mixtures, but complex crystalline structures which may differ considerably from any of their constituents. Slight alterations of the proportions of the metals can bring significant changes in the properties of the alloy. Alloys containing only two major metals are known as binary alloys and those with three as ternary alloys. Gold is alloyed with various metals; when mixed with mercury it is called an amalgam and with silver, native gold. Bronze was the most important alloy in antiquity. The term is also used to describe the technique of mixing the metals.

A mixture of metals. Alloys containing only two major metals are known as binary alloys, those with three major constituents as ternary alloys. Bronze is a binary alloy of copper and tin; brass a binary alloy of copper and zinc. Alloys are not simple mixtures but complex crystalline structures which may differ considerably from any of their constituents; moreover, slight alterations of the proportions of the constituents can bring about significant changes in the properties of the material. Both bronze and brass are considerably harder than copper.

Any of a number of substances which are a mixture of two or more metals, such as bronze (copper and tin), brass (copper and zinc), or tumbaga (copper and gold). An alloy has properties superior to those of the individual metals. They are not simple mixtures, but complex crystalline structures that may differ considerably from any of their constituents. Slight alterations of the proportions of the metals can bring significant changes in the properties of the alloy. Alloys containing only two major metals are known as binary alloys and those with three as ternary alloys. Gold is alloyed with various metals; when mixed with mercury it is called an amalgam, and with silver, it is called native gold. Bronze was the most important alloy in antiquity. The term is also used to describe the technique of mixing the metals.