2010 – 05 – What are Alloy Metals

Metals fall under one of two types: pure metal or alloy. An alloy is a combination of a metal with another metal or element. While some metals are valued when in a pure state, others have drawbacks. To overcome some of these drawbacks of a metal, manufacturers turn pure metals into alloys.

Alloys are manufactured, which means they do not occur naturally. Engineers can emphasize certain properties, like strength or tolerance to high temperatures, to make it ideal for specific jobs.