ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CONTENTS:
Page no.

Introduction
Theory
Apparatus
Chemicals Required

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4
8
10
10

Test for Brass

Test for Bronze
Result
Conclusion
Bibliography

11
13
14
15

INTRODUCTION:
Pure metals possess few important Physical and
Metallic properties such as melting point, boiling point,
density, specific gravity, high malleability, ductility, and heat
and electrical conductivity. For many human needs the
extents of these properties possessed by these pure metals
dont become much beneficial.
Therefore to change (or improve) the properties often
these metals are combined with other metal or non-metal.
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This process of mixing a metal with other metals or a nonmetal is called ALLOYING and the resultant solid solution
obtained in the process is termed as an ALLOY. The
constituent elements are combined in such a way that they
cannot be separated merely by physical means. More than
90% of the metals used are in the form of alloys.
Properties and Uses of some well-known or commonly
used Alloys are given below:

Alloys are generally made to:

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 Enhance the hardness of a metal: An alloy is

generally harder than its constituents. The pure metals
are generally soft.
Lower the melting point: Pure metals have a high
melting point. The melting point lowers when pure metals
are alloyed with other metals or non-metals. This makes
the metals easily fusible.
Enhance tensile strength: Alloy formation increases
the tensile strength of the parent metal.
Enhance corrosion and heat resistance: Alloys
are more resistant to corrosion than pure metals. Metals
in pure form are chemically reactive and can be easily
corroded by the surrounding atmospheric gases and
moisture. Alloying metal increases the inertness of the
metal which in turn, increases corrosion resistance.
Modify colour: The colour of pure metal can be
modified by alloying it with other metals or non-metals
containing suitable colour pigment.
Obtain superconductivity: Some metals can be
alloyed in such a way that their alloy behaves as
superconductor which is of high importance in
technological advancement.
Provide better castability: One of the most
essential requirements of getting good castings is the
expansion of the metal on solidification. Pure molten
metals undergo contraction on solidification. Metals need
to be alloyed to obtain good castings becau.se alloys
expand.
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Few examples of alloys are stainless steel, Brass, Bronze,

Nichrome, Constantan, Crown gold, Solder, Amalgam, etc.
which are used in soldering super conduction making
utensils, mechanical materials like screws and bolts etc.

THEORY:
BRASS

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Brass contains Cu and Zn. A small piece of brass is dissolved

in 50% nitric acid when metals get converted to their nitrate.
After removal of excess nitric acid the solution is tested for Cu
and Zn ions.
4Zn + 10HNO3

4Zn(NO3)2 + N2O + 5H2O

3Cu + 8HNO3

3Cu(NO3)2 + 4H2O + 2NO

BRONZE
Bronze is an alloy of Cu and Sn with the following. Its
composition is Cu=88-96% and Sn=4-12%. Both these
metals dissolve in nitric acid.
3Cu + 8H+ + 2NO3

3Cu2+ + 2NO + 4H2O

4Sn + NO3- + 10H+

4Sn2+ + NH4+ + 3H2O

(Cold and Dil. Acid)

Sn + 4NO3- + 4H+

H2SnO3 + 2NO2 + H2O

(Conc. Acid)(Metastannic Acid)

Excess of nitric acid is removed by heating the solution. The

resulting solution now would contain Cu2+ ions and
metastannic acid. This solution is acidified with dil. HCl and
H2S gas is passed when the sulphides of copper and tin are
formed.
Cu2+ + S2-

CuS (Black ppt.)

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H2SnO3 + 2H2S

SnS2 (Black ppt.) + 3H2O

APPARATUS:

China Dish
Test-tube funnel
Filter paper
Common laboratory reagents

CHEMICAL REQUIRED:
Brass and Bronze pieces
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Nitric Acid
Hydrogen Sulphide Gas
Ammonium Chloride
Ammonium Hydroxide
Acetic Acid
Potassium Ferrocyniide
Ammonium Sulphide
Dil. Hydrochloric Acid
Mercuric Chloride

TEST FOR BRASS

Procedure:
1.Place a small piece of brass in a china dish and heat this
with minimum quantity of 50% HNO3 so as to dissolve the
pieces completely.
2.Continue heating the solution till a dry solid residue is
obtained.
3.Dissolve the solid residue in dil. HCl and filter .Add
distilled water to the filtrate.

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4.Pass H2S gas through the filtrate. A black precipitate of

copper sulphide is obtained. Separate the black ppt. and
keep the filtrate for the test of Zn2+ ions. Dissolve black
ppt. by heating them with 50% HNO3. To this solution add
Ammonium hydroxide solution. Appearance of deep blue
colouration in the solution shows the presence of copper
ions in the solution.
5.To test Zn2+ ions, boil the filtrate to remove H2S gas, then
add solid NH2Cl to this and heat to dissolve NH4Cl. Add
excess of NH4OH so that the solution is ammoniacal .
Now pass H2S gas through the ammoniacal solution. Dirty
white or grey precipitations indicate zinc. Separate the
precipitates and dissolve it in minimum amount of dil.
HCl. Boil to expel H2S gas and add potassium Ferro
cyanide Zn2+ ions in the solution.

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Test for bronze

Procedure:
1.Take about 1g. of small pieces of bronze in a china dish
and add it to it 5-10 ml. of dil. HNO3.
2.Heat the content slowly to dissolve copper and tin
completely and then boil the contents to a paste to
remove excess of HNO3. All this is carried out in a
cupboard.
3. Dissolve this dry mass in distilled water containing HCl
(1:1) to get a clear solution.
4.Transfer the solution in attest tube and pass H2S in
excess i.e. till the precipitation is complete. Filter and
reject the filtrate.
5.Take the black ppt. in a test tube and add to it 2-3 ml. of
yellow ammonium sulphide and heat. Filter the contents.
Black residue is tested for Cu2+ ions and filtrate is tested
for Sn2+ ions.
6.Analysis of black residue :

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Transfer a little of the black ppt. into a test tube. Add to it

2-3 ml. of 50%. HNO3 and boil the contents test tube. A
light or green sol. indicates the presence of Cu2+. Divide
this solution into two parts.
(a) To one part and excess of NH4OH a deep blue
colouration confirms the presence of Cu2+ ions.
(b) Acidify the second part and acetic acid and add
K4[Fe(CN)6] solution. A reddish brown ppt.
confirms the presence of Cu2+ ions
7.Analysis of filtrate:
Boil the filtrate with 1 ml of dil. HCl. A yellow ppt. is
obtained. Dissolve in 1 ml conc. HCl. To this solution add
0.5g of zinc. Dust and boil for 2-3 minutes. Filter and to
filtrate add 1-2 ml of mercuric chloride solution. A white
ppt. turning grey on standing confirms the presence of
Sn2+.

RESULT:
Brass contains Copper and Zinc.
Bronze contains Copper and Tin.

CONCLUSION:
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After understanding the making of this project report, it

is evident that the various daily items and utensils we
use consist of several metals for increased efficiency.
Alloying helps increase the tensile strength, melting
point and also helps resisting to corrosion. It is
necessary for one to know the constituents of a product
he/she uses every day. By taking brass and bronze as
case studies, it has been easier for my enlightment.

BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS:
WEB LINKS

Alloys
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http://www.slideshare.net/swaroopsoma
nna/final-pending
Alloys-Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/alloys
Alloys- Chemistry. About
http://chemistry.about.com/od/alloys
Composition of Alloys
http://www.csudh.edu/oliver/chemdata/
alloys.html
BOOKS:
Encyclopedia of Science (DK publishers)
Comprehensive Practical Chemistry
(Laxmi Publications)

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