Alloy - GCSE Chemistry Definition

What is an alloy?

In GCSE Chemistry, an alloy is a mixture of two or more metals or a metal with a non-metal, such as carbon. 

Alloys often have properties that can be very different from the metals they contain. They are usually stronger and more resistant to corrosion and extreme temperatures. This often makes them more useful than the pure metallic element.

Why are alloys harder than pure metals?

Alloys are harder than pure metals because they contain atoms of different sizes. This causes the regular arrangements of atoms to become distorted. So, it is more difficult for the layers of atoms to slide over each other. 

Alloy structure

Alloy Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

For more information about alloys, check out our revision notes on alloys. You can also practise our exam questions to ensure success. Our flashcards on uflashcards on the wider topic of using materialssing materials are also a great way to revise before an exam.  

Explore our GCSE Chemistry Revision Resources.