In metallurgy, an alloy is a blend of two or more elements, with at least one being a metal, that combines to create a new material boasting properties often superior to its individual components. Commonly, alloys are formed to enhance attributes such as hardness, corrosion resistance, or tensile strength.
The process of creating an alloy involves heating and melting base metals together until they fuse at the molecular level, allowing the elements to bond. Once cooled, the result is a single unified metal capable of surpassing the performance of its separate components.
In the realm of swords, using the right alloy can be the difference between an ordinary blade and one that can withstand rigorous battle conditions while maintaining razor-sharp edges.