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KnightElite · 06-01-2003, 01:41 PM

Alloys are not a mixture, they are a "solid solution". Essentially, this means that the ions from the two metals are distributed fairly evenly throughout the sample, and that because of the interactions between them, the alloy has different properties than the original two metals. Also, the relative quantity of each metal will change the alloy as well.

For example, 100% pure copper is very soft. For electrical plugs, it would be too soft, and the pins you plug into the socket would bend much too easily. So the copper that is used there is in fact a 99% Cu 1% Be (Beryllium), which makes it much stronger, without affecting its conductivity overmuch.

You learn all of this if you take a materials science course. It all has to do with the crystal structure of the material, number of grain boudaries, effects of impurities, etc...

06-01-2003, 01:41 PM	#2
KnightElite Cooling Savant Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 294	Alloys are not a mixture, they are a "solid solution". Essentially, this means that the ions from the two metals are distributed fairly evenly throughout the sample, and that because of the interactions between them, the alloy has different properties than the original two metals. Also, the relative quantity of each metal will change the alloy as well. For example, 100% pure copper is very soft. For electrical plugs, it would be too soft, and the pins you plug into the socket would bend much too easily. So the copper that is used there is in fact a 99% Cu 1% Be (Beryllium), which makes it much stronger, without affecting its conductivity overmuch. You learn all of this if you take a materials science course. It all has to do with the crystal structure of the material, number of grain boudaries, effects of impurities, etc... __________________ Can anyone else here say that they have a watercooled monster that's 45" tall?