n.
Metallic substance composed of two or more elements, as either a mixture, compound, or solid solution.
The components of alloys are ordinarily themselves metals , though carbon is an essential nonmetal component of steel . Alloys are usually produced by melting the mixture of ingredients. The value of alloys was discovered in very ancient times; brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper and tin) were especially important. Today the most important are the alloy steels, which have a wide range of special properties, including hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, magnetizability, and workability.