What is an alloy? Give two reasons why alloys are preferred over pure metals for certain applications.

An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a non-metal. Alloys are preferred over pure metals for certain applications because: 1. They often have improved properties, such as increased hardness, strength, or corrosion resistance, compared to their constituent pure metals. 2. Their melting points can be lowered, making them easier to cast or work with. For example, stainless steel (an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel) is much more resistant to rust than pure iron.