What Are Some Common Kinds of Alloy?

Iron Alloys

• A number of different alloys are made from iron (Fe), all of which try to increase iron's strength while simultaneously decreasing its tendency to rust. One of the most common and historically significant alloys of iron is steel, which is used in screws, nails and support beams, and revolutionized the art/science of construction. According to educationalelectronicsusa.com, steel is comprised of 98.5 to 99.5 percent iron and 0.5 to 1.5 percent carbon. Stainless steel, which is commonly used in kitchen hardware appliances, also includes a bit of either chromium or nickel to produce its distinctive shine.

Copper Alloys

• Copper (Cu) is particularly susceptible to oxidation, which causes its normally shiny surface to become dull and discolored, (The Statue of Liberty is a prime example of what this looks like.) Copper alloys, like bronze and brass, thus try to improve upon copper's resistance to corrosion. According to educationalelectronicsusa.com, bronze is generally comprised of 90 percent copper and 10 percent tin, and is used in the manufacture of medals, coins and other decorative items. Brass is typically a mixture of 80 percent copper and 20 percent zinc, and is commonly used in jewelry, vases and lamps, as well as industrial products like nuts and bolts.

Gold Alloys

• According to journal.pricescope.com, using pure, 24-karat gold in jewelry is difficult because it is incredibly soft. So jewelers tend to utilize 18-karat gold, which is an alloy comprised of approximately 75 percent gold and 25 percent other materials, to increase durability. In the case of yellow gold, that 25 percent is made up of silver, copper, zinc and in some instances cobalt; whereas in white gold, the 25 percent is comprised of nickel, copper, zinc and in some instances palladium. Another common gold alloy is palladium white gold, which is comprised of 75 percent gold and 25 percent palladium.

Aluminum Alloys

• Aluminum alloys are commonly used for industrial and mechanical applications. One of the most commonly used alloys is duraluminium, which is also known as duralumin and duralium. The alloy is generally comprised of 95 percent aluminum and 5 percent copper; however, in some instances, 1 percent of the copper content is actually magnesium or manganese. Duraluminium is used in car and aircraft engines, ships and submarines, pressure cookers and industrial tanks or cauldrons, according to educationalelectronicsusa.com.