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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Alloy and Intermetallic Compound?

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The main difference between an alloy and an intermetallic compound lies in their composition and structure:

  • Alloy: An alloy is a metallic substance consisting of at least one metal element along with other elements, either metallic or non-metallic. Alloys have enhanced properties compared to the individual properties of their constituent elements. Examples of alloys include bronze, brass, steel, wrought iron, cast iron, and stainless steel.
  • Intermetallic Compound: Intermetallics are compounds with a defined stoichiometry and crystal structure, consisting of two or more metallic elements. They possess specific sites assigned for the atoms of each constituent element. Intermetallics are generally hard and brittle, with good high-temperature mechanical properties. Examples of intermetallic compounds include magnetic materials such as alnico, sendust, and Permendur, superconductors such as A15 phases and niobium-tin, and shape memory alloys.

In summary, alloys are metallic substances containing at least one metal element along with other elements, while intermetallic compounds are materials containing solid phases involving two or more metallic elements with a defined stoichiometry and crystal structure.

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  • What is the Difference Between Alloy and Intermetallic Compound?
  • Comparative Table: Alloy vs Intermetallic Compound

    • Comparative Table: Alloy vs Intermetallic Compound

    Here is a table comparing the differences between alloys and intermetallic compounds:

    Feature Alloys Intermetallic Compounds
    Composition Contain at least one metal element along with other elements Contain two or more metallic or semi-metallic components
    Structure Non-uniform structure Fixed or nearly fixed stoichiometry, represented by chemical formulae (e.g., AuCu, β-FeSi2, Pd2MnSb)
    Properties Enhanced properties compared to individual elements Generally hard and brittle, high-temperature mechanical properties
    Formation Created through melting and liquid mixing at high temperatures Formed by solid phases involving two or more metallic or semi-metallic components
    Examples Brass (copper and zinc), Steel (iron and carbon) Au-Cu system, where an ordering process at low temperatures generates an intermetallic alloy

    The key difference between alloys and intermetallic compounds is the composition. Alloys contain at least one metal element along with other elements, while intermetallic compounds contain two or more metallic or semi-metallic components.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.