An alloy is a material composed of two or more different elements, at least one of which must be a metal. They are created by melting the components together and mixing them thoroughly to form a single substance upon solidification.

The primary purpose of alloying is to enhance the properties of the base metal. For example, pure iron is soft, but alloying it with carbon transforms it into steel, significantly improving its strength and hardness. Other common examples include bronze (copper and tin) and brass (copper and zinc).

Alloys are essential across engineering, as they enable materials to meet specific requirements for strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability.