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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Mechanics and Materials

Alloy

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/ˈælɔɪ/nounCommon term

In mechanical engineering, alloy means: A metal made by mixing a base metal with other elements to improve properties such as strength, hardness or corrosion resistance. Steel and brass are alloys.

In Turkish: alaşım

How it is used

Used in material selection, on drawings and in purchasing. An alloy is specified by its standard grade, for example 6061-T6 aluminum or 42CrMo4 steel. Alloy steel contains extra elements such as chromium or nickel.

Example sentences

  1. We changed the housing from cast iron to an aluminum alloy to save weight.

  2. This alloy has good corrosion resistance, but it is difficult to weld.

Common collocations

  • aluminum alloy
  • alloy steel
  • nickel alloy
  • alloying element
  • high-strength alloy
  • heat treatmentHeating and cooling a metal part in a controlled way to change properties such as hardness, strength or ductility. Annealing, hardening and tempering are examples.
  • corrosionSlow damage to a metal caused by a chemical reaction with its environment, such as water, air or chemicals. Rust on steel is the most familiar example.
  • ductileAble to stretch and bend a lot before breaking. Most steels, copper and aluminum are ductile; glass and gray cast iron are not.
  • hardnessHow well a material resists being scratched, dented or worn at its surface. It is measured with tests such as Rockwell (HRC), Brinell (HB) or Vickers (HV).
  • castingMaking a part by pouring molten metal into a mold and letting it harden. The word also means a part made in this way.

More terms: Mechanics and Materials

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