Question

Many pure metals like copper, iron and gold are very soft and as such are considered unsuitable for certain uses. Metallic objects around us such as cooking utensils, statues, ornaments, guns etc. are actually not made up of pure metals. Instead of pure metals, alloys are used in the design of most of the useful objects. Making alloys enhances the basic properties of a metal which is the primary constituent (metal) of an alloy.
What are alloys? How is 'Brass' (an alloy) prepared?

Hint:

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and it is prepared by melting copper and adding zinc. It is used for its strength and resistance to corrosion.

Answer 1

Alloys are homogeneous mixtures composed of two or more metals or a metal and a non-metal. The purpose of making alloys is to enhance the properties of the metal, such as increasing strength, corrosion resistance, or altering melting points. Preparation of Brass: Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). It is prepared by melting copper and then adding zinc to it. The amount of zinc can vary, but typically, brass contains around 60-70% copper and 30-40% zinc. Properties of Brass:
- It is stronger and more durable than copper.
- It has better resistance to corrosion.
- It is more easily worked into shapes than pure copper.