Alloyed metals are used for everything from MRIs in medical facilities to spacecraft. Different elements like chromium, tungsten and nickel are added to steel or aluminium for properties like strength, hardness, and corrosion and wear resistance. The special properties give rise to specialized applications, like the use of nickel alloy steel in medical equipment. Different types of alloys are used in such diverse applications as undersea construction and medical equipment.
Steel alloys have multiple applications
Alloy steels are made by adding fixed amounts of elements like chromium, nickel, and tungsten to enhance certain properties. The amount of alloy added can vary from 1 to 50%. Alloy steels can be magnetic or non-magnetic. Both have a wide range of uses in a number of industries, from medicine to construction to space travel. Depending on the elements added, alloy steels fall into four broad categories. These are structural, tool and die, magnetic alloys, and stainless and heat-resistant steels.
In construction, carbon steel and stainless steel are some of the most commonly used metals along with copper and aluminum. Nickel alloy steels find use in medical MRIs and other equipment that calls for non-ferrous metals that are also corrosion-resistant. Some magnetic steel alloys are used in electric motors and transformers. Stainless steel products like tools have large amounts of tungsten and cobalt. Alloy steels are used for jet engine parts, and in the construction of spacecraft and nuclear reactors.
Aluminum bronze alloys resist seawater corrosion
Like steel alloys, bronze alloys have other elements added to give them certain properties. Aluminum bronze alloys are used for special applications that rely on their strength and corrosion-resistant properties. They are resistant to tarnish and to seawater corrosion. Aluminum bronzes are also biostatic, which means that they are harder for marine creatures like mussels, algae, lichens, and barnacles to grow on.
This makes them preferable to steel for applications where corrosion resistance to seawater is required, as in underwater structures or sea landing craft. They find widespread applications in the oil and petrochemical industries and in underwater naval architecture. The golden color of aluminum bronze grades also makes them popular with artists, designers, jewelers, and architects. Similar alloys are also used for making coins in some countries.
Alloyed metals, which are made by adding elements to steel or aluminum, create materials with special properties like hardness, strength, corrosion-resistance or non-magnetic behavior. These find specialized applications, like the use of nickel alloy steels in MRIs and other medical equipment.