The Differences Between Alloys and Pure Metals

06 May.,2024

 

The Differences Between Alloys and Pure Metals

The Differences Between Alloys and Pure Metals

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Many people argue whether pure metal or metal alloys are better for a given use. But after highlighting the differences between alloys and pure metals, you’ll see why metal alloys provide several advantages over pure metals.

Chemistry

You can trace the distinction between metals and alloys back to the elements that compose them. All the atoms in a pure metal are the same. For instance, chromium is a pure metal since it’s on the periodic table. In contrast, atoms of various elements mesh to form an alloy. Stainless steel, for instance, combines chromium, iron, and carbon.

Strength

Alloys are composites of many metals, each contributing desirable features while canceling out the negative features of others. By doing so, an alloy has superior strength compared with the original metals.

Since pure metals can weaken, alloying is beneficial to generate a harder metal complex. Unlike pure metal, which consists of identical atoms, metal alloys include various elements. Alloys of metals are often significantly stronger and harder than pure metals because of their tightly packed atoms.

Gold is a prime example of this. In its purest form, gold is a surprisingly malleable and pliable metal. But you can blend gold with zinc, copper, or silver to create beautiful, durable alloy jewelry.

Heat-Resistance

Alloys have a variety of melting points due to the combination of metals they contain and their respective melting points. When you combine metals, the melting point can increase, even if one metal melts at a relatively low temperature. This has enormous practical value for industrial applications like aircraft engines, where temperatures may reach very high levels.

Stimuli Response

Adding alloying elements to pure metals like iron is a major benefit because of how fast and powerfully they respond to external stimuli. Pure metals may rust, oxidize, or corrode over time due to environmental factors like oxygen and water. Alloys, on the other hand, are mixtures of less reactive metals that extend the life of the material they form. For example, the chromium in stainless steel makes it resistant to corrosion.

Understanding the differences between alloys and pure metals indicates why alloy is a great resource. Since 1976, Thin Metal Sales has provided customers with high-quality, thin-gauge sheet metals.

We are proud to be the best aluminum sheet metal manufacturer for any width and length. We also work with stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, and brass. You can trust the sheet metal you purchase from Thin Metal Sales is of the highest quality and has been properly cut to meet your needs.

The Advantages of Exotic Metal Fasteners And Components

As a manufacturing professional, you understand that some environments are just too harsh for a standard fastener or component. If you do nothing, it just gets worse—headaches from strength failure, corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance just stack up. So, what do you do?

Well, exotic metal fasteners and components offer enhanced performance capabilities, including superior strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and higher heat tolerance resulting in durability, safety, and value.

In exotic metals, you have a host of alloy options that beat out the more traditional materials used for fasteners and components.

What are exotic metals?

Exotic materials are high-performance alloys of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, magnesium, and copper. They are typically an exotic alloy or have exotic elements.

What makes exotic metals stronger?

When it comes to strength, exotic fasteners and components are up to 35% stronger than your average steel materials.

So, what makes them so strong? It all goes back to the chemical properties of the material. Typically, exotic metals are composed of either a single element or a tightly controlling mixture of two or three elements that refine the properties of each metal, making them considerably stronger than other metals on the market.

For example, 17-4 PH is a steel alloy commonly used in exotic metal fasteners and components. It’s made up of:

  • Chromium: 16.0 – 18.0%
  • Nickel: 6.50 – 7.75%
  • Aluminum: 0.75 – 1.50%
  • Manganese: <1.00%
  • Silicon: <1.00%
  • Carbon: <0.09%
  • Phosphorus: <0.04%
  • Sulfur: <0.03%
  • Iron: trace amount

As a result, exotic metal fasteners can be desirable when strength is the most critical design parameter.

What makes exotic metals heat tolerant?

In addition to being strong, exotic fasteners and components are also heat tolerant. Exotic metals can stand up to temperatures 600 degrees Fahrenheit or higher than your average alloy’s 200-degree limit—so they won’t break down as easily under extreme temperature fluctuations.

Exotic metal fasteners and components have been known to handle the highest pressure flow lines with a minimum amount of flow restriction for over 50 years. This makes exotic metal fasteners and components ideal for power generation industries that have large machinery running at extremely high pressures by utilizing exotic alloys with extraordinary ability.

What makes exotic metals more corrosion resistant?

Typically, exotic metals like nickel and chromium alloyed with steel contain more chromium than plain carbon steel. Chromium is what makes stainless steel so corrosion-resistant.

Since these exotic metal fasteners and components have more of this crucial element, they offer superior rust and corrosion resistance compared to standard stainless steel fasteners and components.

Plus, the chemical composition of exotic metal fasteners and components actually changes to prevent corrosion. When these exotic metals are exposed to oxygen, they form a thin layer of oxide film that prevents further corrosion.

So far, so good, right? However, exotic metals are worth their weight in gold (or whatever currency you prefer) when you look at what happens when it comes in contact with corrosive substances like saltwater or even salts found naturally on roads and highways.

Salt Water Corrosion Resistance: The best way to understand corrosion resistance is by looking at the pitting potential. Pitting is that rust-like corrosion that forms under the surface of the metal and causes it to turn to a dark brownish color.

For example, exotic material fasteners and components like SAE 304 stainless steel, also known as marine grade stainless steel, are a better choice of materials for products that will be exposed to saltwater.

Why do I need exotic metals?

  • Does your component need high reliability?

  • Does it contact corrosive fluids or gases?

  • Is it subject to abrasive conditions?

  • Does it require a high-yield strength?

  • Is it vulnerable to age-hardening?

  • Must it be acid resistant?

  • Conform to rigorous industry, military, or aerospace standards?

  • Perform reliably in harsh environments where conventional materials would fail?

If you answered yes to any question above, then you may be ready for an exotic metal.

What are some common fasteners and components made from exotic metals?

  • Socket Heads

  • Cap Screws

  • Hex Head Bolts

  • Machine Screws

  • Washers

  • Studs

    Want more information on High-Purity Metal Chromium for Sale? Feel free to contact us.

  • Rods

  • Nuts

  • Specialty Parts

You can order fasteners and components in a variety of exotic metal grades. Thanks to the use of exotic materials and our special processes, our fasteners are more durable and reliable than their counterparts.

Which exotic material is best for my application?

Here are the strong points of a few exotic metals—to give you an idea of their wide-ranging benefits. Contact us to find the best one for your application.

  • Titanium

    has a high tensile strength-to-weight ratio and Corrosion Resistance, making it ideal for demanding wear and high-temperature applications.

  • Hastelloy is a nickel-based steel alloy that is highly resistant to corrosion and suitable for many chemical applications that may oxidize making it a great option for exotic alloy fasteners.
  • Inconel

    alloys are oxidation-resistant alloys that are well-suited to harsh environments subjected to pressure and heat. It has excellent resistance to corrosion under a wide range of temperatures, making it ideal for high-temperature applications where aluminum and steel are not suitable.

  • Monel

    is a group of nickel alloys with higher strength and resistance to a broader range of corrosive chemicals than ordinary nickel. It is heat-resistant due to its resistance to aerodynamic friction, allowing it to be used in specialty applications.

  • 17-7 PH

    alloy has good fatigue properties, corrosion resistance, and little distortion of temperature-treated parts. There are three grades of age hardening, each with slightly different characteristics.

Which industries benefit most from exotic materials?

  • Pump Manufacturers

  • Oil & Gas Industries / Petrochemical 

  • Valve Manufacturers

  • Marine / Watercraft Manufacturers

  • Water Desalinization 

  • Aircraft Services
  • Your Industry (Most Likely)

What processes & capabilities for exotic metals does TFG have?

Which exotic materials does TFG commonly work with?

  • Titanium

  • Hastelloy

  • Stainless Steel, Martensitic

    Precipitation Hardened

     

  • SAE 630

  • Inconel

  • Monel

  • 17-4 PH 

  • Inconel 718

  • UNS S17400

  • AMS 5643

  • ASTM A564

  • ASTM A693

  • Duplex

  • Waspalloy

  • Tantalum

  • Molybdenum

  • A-286

  • Zeron

  • Hydrargyrum

  • Multiphase Steels

  • Silicon Bronze

Exotic is not extravagant

Product failure and downtime cost you time and money.
Take advantage of specialty alloy fasteners and components to increase reliability and reduce costly downtime.

Now it’s your turn to get exotic

Whether you’re exploring options for a new product or you have an existing product that you’d like to put into production, The Federal Group USA can help you with your next exotic metal components project. 

We’ve provided high-quality metal fabrication services to a wide variety of industries and products. Our combined fastener experience of over 40 years is why we are the fastener experts. Customer satisfaction if our number 1 priority.

Contact us today to speak to our sales team regarding your exotic metal project.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Aluminium Casting Flux.