What Is An Alloy?

An alloy is a metal such as steel or aluminum that contains a minimum amount or a range of alloying elements like nickel, molybdenum, manganese, chromium, vanadium to obtain desired performance or characteristics. These elements can improve strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, ductility, or conductivity, easier fabrication, welding, or longer lifespan. In some cases, alloying elements may also make a material more brittle or more difficult to weld. Overall, alloy metals can provide combinations of properties that are not typically attainable with base metals alone.

Heat Treatment of Alloys

The addition of alloying elements alone does not change the properties or characteristics of a metal. Instead, these elements improve how deeply and effectively alloy bar or plate can be modified through a heat treatment process.
Common thermal processes include annealing or quench and temper. When paired with heat treatment, alloying elements can increase hardenability, wear resistance, toughness, fatigue strength and more. Bars are also often stress relieved to reduce internal stresses and improve dimensional stability.

Examples of Alloys

In steel alloys, carbon is the primary alloying element. It is added in specific amounts to alter the hardness and strength or steel bar, plate, or sheet. Low-carbon steel contains less carbon, making it more ductile and easier to weld. In contrast, high-carbon steel is harder but more brittle. Stainless steels include chromium which enhances corrosion resistance. Each alloy type is designed for specific industrial applications.

Alloy Materials Stocked By Alro

Alro stocks alloy bars in cold drawn and hot rolled forms. These materials are typically annealed or heat treated, quenched, and tempered. Heat treatment is often the final manufacturing step used to achieve the desired mechanical properties. Heat-treated alloy bars may also be stress relieved to reduce internal stresses and support consistent performance in larger sections. However, heat treatment can reduce machinability, so material selection should account for both performance requirements and machining needs.

Alloy Metals Processing Services Offered By Alro Steel

Alro offers a wide range of metals processing services for alloy materials, including grinding, precision milled super square, and laser cutting. Explore our metals processing services or contact an Alro sales representative for more information.