Ways that Alloys are Used

Brass Instruments

• Musical instruments made of hard brass alloys have bright sound quality.  If they were made of soft copper, the sound would be deadened and dull.

• Chromium and nickel can be added to steel to harden it, also fighting corrosion.  If steel is made with eighteen percent chromium and eight percent nickel, the metal hardly rusts at all.
• The chromium + nickel oxides form a protective coating.  Since this type of alloy doesn't "stain," it is called stainless steel.
• Tungsten carbide is used to make surgical tools because surgeons need the cutting edges of these tools extra sharp.