Alloy

An alloy is a combination, either in solution or compound of two or more metallic elements. The result is a metallic substance.

Alloys generally have properties that are more desirable than their base elements. For instance, steel is stronger than iron, one of its main elements, and brass is more durable than copper, but more attractive than zinc.

Sometimes an alloy is just named for the base metal, as 14k gold is an alloy of gold with other elements. The same holds for silver used in jewelery?.

Common alloys include brass, bronze, and steel.