"Alloy" question

[Mike -]

When (and where) did the term "alloy" become a word synonyms for aluminum ?

99% of ALL metals (and many plastics) being used are "alloys" of their parent metal.  Parent metals without the infusion of other materials are mostly useless strength and corrosion resistant wise.

Pure Titanium, not good for much without being "alloyed" with other materials.
Pure steel, not good for much without being "alloyed" with other materials.
Pure aluminum, not good for much without being "alloyed" with other materials.
Pure...well you get the idea...

Mike

[viking499]

Where is "alloy" being used for "aluminum"?

[Swamp ash]

Do folks think alloy is a synonym for Al?  I wasn't aware people had this confusion - perhaps it is more indicative of a population that is not fluent in science?

[Earl Keese]

On the CZ USA website, as recently as last year, didn't they refer to the aluminum framed guns as "alloy" and steel framed guns as "steel"? I just looked and see they're now listed as aluminum (7075 T6).

[1SOW]

Gun  "slang".   Aluminum alloy lowers are referred to as alloy frames.  My Sig has an " alloy" frame with a steel  upper.
This slang is used by shooter's.
If talking to non-shooters,  then "Aluminum alloy frame and steel slide" would be better understood by those not familiar with firearm terms.  Sometimes:  "a very hard/strong aircraft aluminum alloy" may be advertised.  Etc.  Etc

Brass is an alloy,  but brass cases are shooters' terms. The ratio of component metals isn't needed for common reference.

Just an opinion.  Mine, all mine.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Do folks think alloy is a synonym for Al?  I wasn't aware people had this confusion - perhaps it is more indicative of a population that is not fluent in science?

Perhaps a more fair assessment would be to say it is indicative of a population not well versed in metallurgy.
I'd say most people regard the term alloy as a selling point as manufacturers such as tool companies have used the term loosely for decades now. Most people just don't understand that it simply means various metals and compounds have been mixed specifically to create certain products.

[bluedev84]

.......it simply means various metals and compounds have been mixed specifically to create certain products.

kinda says it all........nothing else to say! (did you hear that mic drop  )

[copemech]

What about Carpenter Steel? I always thought those guys were woodpeckers?

[f2benny]

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, and stainless adds nickle.  So it's all alloy.

[chimera8]

It's along the lines of "loading a clip into your CZ".

[eastman]

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, and stainless adds nickle.  So it's all alloy.

Sometimes it does, but not all stainless steels contain nickel. Chromium is the required element to alloy with to make stainless steel.

[Grendel]

[Jericho Hill]

It is not just firearms.  I see it far more often on "alloy wheels" in reference to the rims.

[Mike -]

As Jericho says, used in talking about wheels (not just rims !), talking about many items beside just various weapons.
And no, the term "alloy" does not mean or have any strict connection to aluminum, odd spelling or not.

Similar to people misspeaking when talking about "clips" vs. "magazines" (these are different items), "rims" vs. "wheels" (these are different items), (cars/trucks), I could go on..!

Thanks all for your reply's.

Mike

[The Conservative]

Yep, poor slang for Aluminum.  I have been guilt of it for about 4 decades even though I know better.