An alloy is a mixture of materials (typically metals) that are combined at the atomic scale to form a material with different properties than its constituents. A composite is a mixture of different materials which remain chemically distinct from each other, such as fibers in a matrix, but which do not intermix at the atomic scale. The components of a composite are processed separately and then brought together to form the composite, whereas the components of an alloy are all processed together.
You can think about alloys vs. composites by the length scale that defines them. The desirable properties of alloys come from interactions between their constituent components at the atomic- to nano-scale, whereas composites get their properties from nano- to macro-scale interactions between their components.
It is possible to imagine the bi-component structure for which there will be no difference. BUT actually "Alloy" presumes a uniform/similar surrounding for atoms or molecular fragments.
Best Regards, Leonid
Depends of point o view. Taking into consideration definition that composite is material made of two different substances - all are composites (event blood, alloys, human body (?) etc). But if we talking about two different (different properties) materials: such as ceramic+meta, metal+polymer, polymer+ceramics, im sure we will talk about composites. So, the key is difference in properties. For example material made of two different polymers is not composite - it is blend. Material made of two metals is alloy. Hope it helps.
An alloy is a mixture of materials (typically metals) that are combined at the atomic scale to form a material with different properties than its constituents. A composite is a mixture of different materials which remain chemically distinct from each other, such as fibers in a matrix, but which do not intermix at the atomic scale. The components of a composite are processed separately and then brought together to form the composite, whereas the components of an alloy are all processed together.
You can think about alloys vs. composites by the length scale that defines them. The desirable properties of alloys come from interactions between their constituent components at the atomic- to nano-scale, whereas composites get their properties from nano- to macro-scale interactions between their components.
Dear Sahas Bansal,
Alloys are the combination of two element in periodic tables. Out of these two element one element should have metallic nature. On the other hand composite may contain metals, nonmetals, polymers etc.
Alloys are solid solution of different metallic and nonmetallic elements and elements are soluble up to its solubility limits. while composites are the combination of two or more dissimilar materials having distinct interface between them so that the property of resulting material is superior to individual constituting elements and there is no solubility limit.
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zbr9vBsbAJYC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
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