Did you know that stainless steel alloys are among the hardest and strongest types of metal in the world? Metal alloys play a massive role in building large structures that you’ll see on a daily basis like commercial buildings, bridges, and automobiles. You’ll see a wide variety of these metal alloys around any construction site you encounter.
It’s difficult to imagine what life would be like without these metal buildings and modes of transportation provided by metal alloys. If you’ve ever wanted to take a deep dive into the world of the different types of metal and metal alloys then today is your lucky day. You’ve found the right article to teach you about all of the best metal alloys in use today.
Keep reading this article to learn more!
Bronze
Bronze is the first metal alloy discovered by humans and its use is widespread for a number of uses throughout human history. Bronze is created by combining copper and tin, though you can add a few other types of metal to the mix if you desire certain properties.
Bronze is great because it is highly ductile and it produces low levels of friction when it encounters other types of metal. It’s common for use in musical instruments like saxophones and trumpets. You’re also likely to encounter a number of statues that are bronze since it is easy to form into the desired shape or design.
Steel
Steel is another common form of metal alloy and it comes from mixing iron with a small amount of carbon to create a stronger type of metal that is perfect for metal buildings. You’ll get a mix of great properties from steel since it is corrosion-resistant, durable, and hard. It’s also one of the most affordable metal alloys which is why it’s so prevalent at construction sites.
Construction companies often use steel alloys for projects like commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and airports. Many appliance companies also tend to use stainless steel alloys for their appliances to help them stand up to rust. Stainless steel alloys are also popular for use with home goods like knives and other eating utensils.
Alnico
Alnico is a neat metal alloy because it holds the ability to act as a strong magnet. The name for this alloy comes from the types of metal that it’s composed of. You can create alnico by mixing aluminum, nickel, and cobalt together.
If you’ve ever held or used a permanent magnet then odds are that you’ve had some hands-on experience with alnico. It’s one of the strongest magnets out there in the world.
Solder
Another common and useful metal alloy that you should know about is solder. Solder is great because it is fusible which makes it perfect for connecting different types of metal in a permanent manner. You can create solder by mixing tin and lead together.
Electricians are the biggest users of solder since it is perfect for connecting wires in a quick and efficient manner. It’s also useful if you plan on modifying your vehicle’s sound system.
Cast Iron
One of the most popular metal alloys that you’ll encounter in life is cast iron. If you love cooking or camping (or both!) then odds are that you’ve encountered a number of cast iron cookware pieces. Cast iron is a metal alloy that is a mix of iron, carbon, and a bit of silicon.
Cast iron is great because it has the lowest melting point of the different metal alloys out there. You’ll have an easy time casting it or molding it to create the design that you desire with it. You will also find that it’s quite resistant to wear and deformation even when you use it on a regular basis.
You’ll find cast iron used on a number of things ranging from bridges to skillets. It’s one of the most versatile types of metal out there.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is another common metal alloy that has a wide range of uses. You can create sterling silver by mixing a large amount of silver with a bit of another metal like copper. Anyone that has owned silver knows that it doesn’t take much for it to tarnish.
Copper is the perfect complement to pure silver because it helps to reduce the level of tarnishing that silver usually experiences. In addition to having more resistance, sterling silver also has more strength than pure silver.
The most common uses for sterling silver are jewelry, cutlery, medical tools, and musical instruments. It’s one of the most valuable and useful metal alloys you can find.
White Gold
White gold is an alloy that is a mix of at least one white metal like silver or nickel along with gold. The gold-nickel combination is one of the most popular because it is strong and hard. It’s not uncommon to find people that wear white gold rings and jewelry since it is valued for its appearance.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is quite similar to white gold except for the types of metal used for creating it. It’s a mix of gold and copper, which gives it the reddish tint that it’s famous for. Rose gold was first invented in Russia in the 1800s and it has grown immensely in popularity since then.
Just like white gold, rose gold is most often used for creating jewelry. It’s a perfect metal alloy for creating things like necklaces, bracelets, and rings out of. There are tons of beautiful wedding rings out there that use rose gold as their main metal alloy.
Now You Know More About Metal Alloys
There are tons of metal alloys that serve important purposes all around you, and learning about the different types of metal will help you appreciate how they keep the world spinning. Stainless steel alloys and valued for their weight and strength at construction sites and for metal buildings. Other metal alloys like bronze have a ton of history and are great for creating sculptures and instruments.
For more helpful articles like this one, check out the rest of our blog!
Leave a Reply