BY LETTER
Alloy
Technology > Technology Type or Material > Drytech/Hylotech
Science > Chemistry > Inorganic Chemistry
Technology > Technology Levels > Low Tech / Lotech
Technology > Application > Materials Technology
A metallic element modified by the addition of one or more other elements or by the addition of nanotech devices.Science > Chemistry > Inorganic Chemistry
Technology > Technology Levels > Low Tech / Lotech
Technology > Application > Materials Technology
Dumb Alloy: A metal that has been hardened or otherwise modified by the addition of other metals or nonmetallic impurities (carbon is a popular nonmetallic element but others can be used as well). Because the added atoms are the wrong size for the metal lattice, they tend to position themselves at flaws and weak points, where they pin the defects in place.
Smart Alloy: instead of raw atoms, simple reactive nano-devices are used. These are able to respond to and interact with the metal as conditions allow, thus producing a far harder alloy.
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Development Notes
Text by M. Alan Kazlev
Initially published on 10 September 2001.
Initially published on 10 September 2001.
