ötvözet

Ötvözet, in Hungarian, refers to an alloy. In materials science, an alloy is a substance composed of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, designed to achieve properties different from those of its constituents. Alloys are engineered to improve strength, hardness, ductility, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, or high-temperature stability.

Alloys are commonly classified as ferrous or non-ferrous. Ferrous alloys contain iron as a primary element and include steels and cast irons. Non-ferrous alloys do not rely on iron and include aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, and their combinations. Within these groups, elements may occupy specific lattice sites: substitutional alloys replace some atoms of the base metal, while interstitial alloys place smaller atoms in spaces between the lattice. Many systems form solid solutions or multiple phases, enabling a range of properties.

Production typically involves melting the constituent elements, combining them in precise proportions, and allowing the mixture to solidify under controlled conditions. Other methods include powder metallurgy, mechanical alloying, and diffusion bonding to create specialized structures. Heat treatment can further tailor mechanical properties such as hardness, strength, and toughness.

Historically significant alloys include bronze (copper with tin) and steel (iron with carbon and other alloying elements). Today, alloys are central to industries ranging from construction and automotive to aerospace and electronics. Notable examples include steel, brass (copper with zinc), bronze, aluminium alloys (with magnesium or silicon), and nickel-based superalloys used in high-temperature environments.