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An alloy is a substance produced by melting together two or more metals, sometimes a definite chemical compound, but more generally a solid solution of some such compound in an excess of one of the components. Most metals mix together in all proportions, but others unite only in definite proportions, and form true chemical compounds. Others, again, will not alloy, and when fused together, and then allowed to solidify, form not a homogeneous mixture, but a conglomerate of distinct masses.
Alloys differ from their components in most of their physical properties. Their hardness is in general increased, their malleability and ductility impaired. The colour of an alloy may closely resemble that of one of the components, or may be entirely different from the colours of both. Its specific gravity is sometimes less than the mean of its component metals. Alloys are always more fusible than their components, at any rate than the least fusible component. Newton's fusible metal, composed of three parts of tin, two or five parts of lead, and five or eight parts of bismuth, melts at temperatures varying from 198 degrees to 210 degrees Fahrenheit (and therefore in boiling water); its components fuse respectively at the temperatures 442 degrees, 600 degrees and 478 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes each metal retains its own fusing-point. With few exceptions metals are not much used in a pure state. 19th century British gold coins contained eight percent silver; 19th century British silver coins 7.1 percent copper. Printer's types were made from an alloy of lead and antimony; brass and a numerous list of other alloys are formed from copper and zinc; bronze from copper and tin.
 Research Alloy
In geology, agglomerate is a collective name for masses consisting of angular fragments ejected from volcanoes. When a rock mass consists largely of fragments worn and rounded by water it is called a conglomerate, and such masses were originally, no doubt, gravels and shingles on sea beaches and river channels.
Research Agglomerate
In geology, a conglomerate (popularly known as pudding-stone) is a coarse-grained sedimentary rock composed of rounded fragments embedded in a matrix of a cementing material such as silica.
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Farcilite was an old mineralogical term for a conglomerate.
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Pudding-stone is a popular name for a conglomerate.
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A conglomerate is a group of companies merged into one entity, although they are active in totally different fields. A conglomerate is usually formed by a company wishing to diversify so that it is not totally dependent on one industry. Many tobacco firms and brewers have diversified in this way.
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A zaibatsu is a Japanese industrial conglomerate.
Research Zaibatsu
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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