What is an Alloy?

Alloy is a mixture of two or more elements where at least one of them is metal.
The resulting alloy can be a solution or a solid. If only two components are mixed
to produce an alloy, it is known as a binary alloy. If there are three components, it
is known as ternary alloy. The amount of element in the alloy is normally
measured and given by mass (as percentages). Alloys can be also classified as
homogeneous if they have a single phase. If have several phases, those alloys are
classified as heterogeneous. If there isnt a distinct phase boundary, then they are
known as inter metallic.

Alloys are produced from elements, to have improved qualities than the reactant
elements. They have different qualities than the reactant components. Normally
alloys have metallic properties, but they differ from pure metal elements. For
example, alloys dont have a single melting point. Rather, they have a range of
melting points.

Steel is an example for alloy. It is made out of iron and carbon. Steel is stronger
than iron. The carbon percentage can vary depending on the grade, and mostly it is
between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight. Though carbon is the main alloying material
for iron, some other elements like Tungsten, chromium, manganese can also be
used for the purpose. Different types and amounts of alloying element used
determine the hardness, ductility and tensile strength of steel. Alloying element is
responsible for maintaining the crystal lattice structure of steel by preventing
dislocation of iron atoms. Thus, it acts as the hardening agent in steel. The density
of steel varies between 7,750 and 8,050 kg/m3 and, this is affected by the alloying
constituents too.
Brass is another alloy which is made out of copper and zinc, but more durable than
copper and attractive than zinc. When producing jewelry from gold, silver, and
platinum, they are mixed with other elements, to make them more ductile and
flexible.

What is a Composite?

Composite is a material made out of two or more constituent materials which are
chemically and physically different. Constituent materials are the individual
materials which makes the composite. There are two categories of them as matrix
and reinforcement. Usually matrix material supports the reinforcement material.
The constituent materials stay separately within the finished structure because they
are chemically and physically different, to mix with each other.

Composites can be synthetic or naturally occurring materials. Wood is a natural

composite. It is made up of cellulose fibers and a matrix of lignin. When preparing
composites, normally both matrix and reinforced materials are combined and
compacted. After this, the shape of the composite is set, and it wont change unless
it is affected by certain conditions.

Alloy vs Composite

Alloy is a homogenous or a heterogeneous mixture whereas composites are

heterogeneous.

There is at least one metal in alloy, but it is not necessary to have metals in
composites.
Alloys are made up of a combination of metals to produce a material with
improved properties of each of the individual metals. However, where the
materials which make up composites still remain separate and distinct within the
composite, the metals in alloys change physically into a new material with
enhanced properties. On their own, metals can often have a limited range of useful
properties, but by combining them with other metals they can increase their range
of improved properties therefore maximizing their usefulness. Alloying
permanently changes the physical characteristics of the metals and some of the
advantages that can be achieved through alloying are:

Increasing resistance to corrosion and oxidization.

Changing the electrical properties.
Improved strength. A higher or lower melting point compared with the
constituent metals.
Can often be easier to machine