Alloy.
A mixture, produced almost universally by fusion, of two or more metals.
Sometimes alloys seem to be chemical compounds, as shown by their having
generally a melting point lower than the average of those of their
constituents. An alloy of a metal with mercury is termed an amalgam. An
important application in electricity is the use of fusible alloys for
fire alarms or for safety fuses. German silver is also of importance for
resistance coils, and palladium alloys are used for unmagnetizable
watches. An alloy of wrought iron with manganese is almost
unmagnetizable, and has been proposed for use in ship building to avoid
errors of the compass.
Alloys or what are practically such can be deposited by electrolysis in
the electro- plater's bath. We give the composition of some alloys
interesting to the electrician.
Solder: Lead 1 part Tin 2 parts
" " " 1 "
" " " 2 "
German Silver: Copper, 2 parts; Nickel, 1 part;
Zinc, 1 part (used for resistances).
Platinum, Silver Alloys: Platinum, 1 part;
silver, 2 parts (used for resistances.)