Difference between substitutive alloys and interstitial alloys

Last update: 06/05/2023
Author: Sebastian Vidal

Substitute alloys

Substitute alloys are those in which the atoms of a main metal are replaced by an atom of another chemical element of a different atomic size. An example of this type of alloy is brass, which is composed mainly of copper and zinc. In brass, some copper atoms are replaced by zinc atoms, which changes some of the physical and chemical properties of the material.

Properties of substitute alloys

  • The density of the substituent alloys can vary, depending on the size of the substituted atoms.
  • Substitute alloys have greater resistance to corrosion.
  • The hardness and strength of substitute alloys can also be improved.

Interstitial alloys

Interstitial alloys are those in which the atoms of other elements do not replace the atoms of a main metal, but are located in the existing interstices in the crystalline structure of the metal. One of the best-known examples of this type of alloy is steel, which is an alloy of iron and carbon. In steel, carbon atoms are located in the interstices of the crystalline structure of iron.

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Properties of interstitial alloys

  • The density of the interstitial alloys is higher than that of the substitute alloys.
  • Interstitial alloys are less resistant to corrosion than substitute alloys.
  • The hardness and strength of interstitial alloys can be significantly improved.

Conclusions

There are several differences between substitutive alloys and interstitial alloys. While both can improve the hardness and strength of materials, interstitial alloys have a higher density and are less corrosion resistant than substitute alloys. Therefore, it is important to have clear knowledge about the properties of these materials when selecting them for a particular application.