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Alloys are not necessarily harder or stronger than pure metals. For example gallium and aluminum form an alloy that is extremely weak. Many of the alloys we know of are stronger than pure metals because those are the ones we find most useful. In most pure metals, there will be gaps in between atoms. In many alloys we fill in those gaps with some other type of atom, adding extra support.

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Lewis Streich

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βˆ™ 2y ago
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βˆ™ 5mo ago

Pure metals have a more regular atomic structure, which allows layers of atoms to slide past each other more easily, making them softer. Alloys have a more complex atomic structure due to the presence of multiple elements, making it harder for the layers to slide, which results in increased hardness.

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βˆ™ 14y ago
why alloys are harder than pure metalsMaterials are harder the more difficult it is to make their atoms slide past each other. This is relatively easy in pure metals because all atoms are the same size, and "slip planes" along which movement is easy are present. Alloys contain 1 or more other types of metal atoms which don't fit nicely into the parent metal's crystal structure and make the slip planes "bumpy" - so they are harder to slide along = harder.

Some of the metals in their pure form are softer by nature. They are to be made stronger by adding suitable elements like sliver and copper to gold

When it comes to Cast Iron this metal is hard. By adding carbon, nickle ,silver etc the Iron can be made malleable. The Metallurgy will be the subject to deal with this.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

Some metals are soft because they have less delocalised electrons in between the layers of positive ions. the delocalised electrons stop the repulsion between the two layers of positive ions. in soft metals, less delocalised electrons are present. this leads to smaller forces of attractions. An example of soft metal is lead.

D-block metals are hard metals. this is because they have more delocalised electrons in between the layers of positive ions. more delocalised electron (negatively charged) are strongly attracted to the layers of positive ions.

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βˆ™ 14y ago

Pure metals are malleable because the atoms can roll and slide past each other without losing the structural strength.

In an alloy there are small numbers of different sized atoms, which get in the way of the sliding, so they make the metal less malleable. Adding more carbon to iron makes it harder and initially stronger, but adding too much makes it brittle. You add the right amount to get the porperties you want.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

In pure metals, the layers of atoms can slide over each other easily thus they are soft and malleable. In alloys, the introduction of different metal atoms (which would be of a different size) disrupts the arrangement and the layers would be unable to slide over each other as easily, thus alloys would be harder. This is why alloys rather than pure metals are used to make aircraft parts.

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Q: Why are pure metals softer than the alloys of same metal?
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Why do we use alloys instead of pure metals?

Alloys are sometimes more useful than pure metals because alloys tend to be stronger though not necessarily. Pure metals tend to be softer than alloys, which are a mix of two or more metals, and therefore get dented, scratched, or broken more easily. Gold used in jewelry is a good example. Metal alloys have different structural and behavioral characteristics than pure metals. Alloying a metal also gives it a different appearance. In some cases alloys may result in a lighter metal without sacrificing other necessary characteristics. They may also be more cost effective.


Why are alloys often used instead of pure metals?

Alloys are often used instead of pure metals because they can have improved properties such as increased strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance compared to the individual components. By blending different metals together, engineers can tailor the alloy to meet specific performance requirements for different applications.


Why do people mix pure metals such as gold with other metals?

People mix pure metals with other metals to create alloys that have improved properties, such as increased strength, durability, or resistance to corrosion. Alloys can also provide cost savings by using less of the more expensive pure metal while still achieving the desired characteristics.


Why are alloys harder than metals?

Alloys are not necessarily harder or stronger than pure metals. For example gallium and aluminum form an alloy that is extremely weak. Many of the alloys we know of are stronger than pure metals because those are the ones we find most useful. In most pure metals, there will be gaps in between atoms. In many alloys we fill in those gaps with some other type of atom, adding extra support.


What is an advantage that alloys might have over many pure metals?

Alloys (mixtures of metals and other elements) have different properties form pure metals.Two examples:An alloy of carbon & iron males steel which can be much harder than ironAn alloy of copper and tin makes bronze which is harder and more corrosion resistant than either of the pure metals

Related questions

Is a metal and an alloy the same thing?

An alloy is a type of metal (specifically, it's a solid solution of dissimilar metals). All alloys are metal, but not all metals are alloys ... pure metals (pure gold or pure copper, for example) are not alloys.


Would brass softer than the pure metals?

Alloys are harder than the components.


Why do we use alloys instead of pure metals?

Alloys are sometimes more useful than pure metals because alloys tend to be stronger though not necessarily. Pure metals tend to be softer than alloys, which are a mix of two or more metals, and therefore get dented, scratched, or broken more easily. Gold used in jewelry is a good example. Metal alloys have different structural and behavioral characteristics than pure metals. Alloying a metal also gives it a different appearance. In some cases alloys may result in a lighter metal without sacrificing other necessary characteristics. They may also be more cost effective.


What is the difference between pure metal and alloyed metal?

A pure metal is found in nature. An alloy is a combination of metals. Alloys are better because some metals react with air and water yet Alloys dont react as much. This is why car wheels are made of Alloys so that they dont react with air or water. Alloys are simply a mix of two different metals. After being mixed they have different and better characteristics such as stainless steel. Alloys are a special type of metal.


What is the similar between pure metals and alloys?

A pure metal contains only one metal while an alloy is a mixture of two or more metals.


What are three advantages of some alloys when compared to pure metals?

Alloys are sometimes more useful than pure metals because alloys are stronger - or tougher (toughness is resistance to fracture). Pure metals tend to be softer than alloys and therefore tend to get dented, scratched, or broken/fractured more easily. Alloys are often lower cost than pure metals but not necessarily so. As an example, stainless steel is more expensive than pure iron.


Why are alloys often used instead of pure metals?

Alloys are often used instead of pure metals because they can have improved properties such as increased strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance compared to the individual components. By blending different metals together, engineers can tailor the alloy to meet specific performance requirements for different applications.


When metal react with metal the result is?

When metals react with other metals, they can form metal alloys. These alloys have different properties compared to the pure metals and are often stronger and more resistant to corrosion. Mixing metals together can also alter their physical and chemical properties.


Name some metals that are not pure?

Any metal that is not pure (combination of two or more metals) is known as an alloy. For a list of alloys see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alloys


Why do people mix pure metals such as gold with other metals?

People mix pure metals with other metals to create alloys that have improved properties, such as increased strength, durability, or resistance to corrosion. Alloys can also provide cost savings by using less of the more expensive pure metal while still achieving the desired characteristics.


Why are metal things often made of alloy rather than pure metal?

Alloys allow certain metals to be stronger, or lighter, or both


Is metal a element?

Metals are a class of elements. A pure metal is an element. Some metals are alloys, which mean they have more than one metal or element in them. The metal bronze is made of two elements, the metal tin and the metal copper.