What is the strongest metal on earth?It may sound like a simple question, but the answer is quite complex becausecompare metalsbased on strength doesn't work the way you might think. Why? First, there is no universal scale for strength. At best there are four. Read on to discover these four different types of strength as they relate to metallurgy. From there, you will gain a better understanding of the metals that are leading the way in strength. Tensile strength refers to the ability of a material to withstand stresses. In other words, it looks at the amount of force needed to stretch or pull something apart. A material with a low tensile strength would pull apart more quickly than a material with a high tensile strength. Compressive strength refers to the ability of a material to resist compression (compressed). To test compressive strength, an external force applies pressure to a material and monitors the material's ability to withstand reduction. A generally accepted test for compressive strength isMohs hardness test. The test is based on a scale that rates minerals from 1-10, or softest-hardest. Yield strength refers to the ability of a material to resist permanent deformation or bending. It is a way to test the elastic limit of a given material. Usually determined via a bending test in which two ends of a beam or bar are gripped and tension is applied to them. The idea is to discover how much stress is required to exceed the material's yield point, or the point at which the material does not return to its original shape when the stress is removed.Determination of the strongest metals: types of strength
Tensile strength
Compressive strength
Yield strength
Impact resistance
Impact strength refers to a material's ability to withstand an impact without breaking or shattering. In other words, it is a method of determining the limit of how much energy a material can absorb through impact.
Comparison of strong metals
Because the strength of a metal depends on several factors, there is no clear answer to the question, "what is the strongest metal on Earth?" Instead, there are several metals that are known to beamong the strongest.
Here is a list of some of the strongest metals on Earth, sorted in alphabetical order.
Please do not consider the following as any form of ranking.
CHROMED STRENGTH
Chromium is a hard and brittle transition metal with a steel gray color. This metal has a score of 8.5 on the Moh's hardness test, making it one of the hardest metals on earth. The only metals above chromium on this graph are boron (9.5) and diamond (10).
INCONEL STRENGTH
Inconel is a group of nickel-based superalloys known for their ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. If we look at the tensile strength of Inconel, it can be as high as 103-160 ksi (compared to stainless steel's score of 73.2 ksi). Due to its temperature-resistant properties, this alloy is considered one of the strongest in the world.
STAINLESS STEEL STRENGTH
Stainless steel is an iron alloy known for its resistance to rust and corrosion. Because stainless steel has many variations, the strength of each alloy can vary significantly. Stainless steel 304, for example, is distinguished by an incredible tensile strength of up to 621 MPa or 90 KSI.
TITAN STRENGTH
Titanium metal is an elemental earth metal with an extremely high melting point. It has a particularly high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an ideal metal for applications where weight is minimized but strength must be maximized.
TOOL STEEL STRENGTH
Tool steel is a type of carbon alloy used in making tools. Its hardness, wear resistance and ability to retain its shape at high temperatures make it one of the strongest metals on the market. The ultimate tensile strength of A2 steel can reach 1860 MPa.
TUNGSTEN STRENGTH
Tungsten is one of the strongest natural metals (142,000 psi). However, tungsten is brittle and has been known to splinter. On the Mohs hardness scale, tungsten is rated at a 9.
Using the different types of strength described above, it is easy to see why choosing the strongest metal is difficult. For example, let's look at tungsten versus titanium.
Tungsten vs titanium
As mentioned above, tungsten is the strongest of all natural metals (142,000 psi). However, in terms of impact strength, tungsten is weak: it is a brittle metal that is known to splinter on impact. On the other hand, titanium has a tensile strength of 63,000 psi.
If you look at the density of titanium, on a pound-for-pound comparison, it is better than tungsten. In terms of compressive strength, titanium scores much lower on the Mohs hardness scale.
It's easy to see that making a direct comparison is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. Whether you're looking at chrome vs. inconel, titanium vs. steel or tungsten vs.stainless steel. It just doesn't quite make sense.
Talk to us about your needs
While there may not be the strongest metal on earth, it all comes down to the intended use of the metal. For example, it may be an application where a high yield stress is essential, but the compressive strength is not relevant. That is why we have an advisory approach to our customers.
At Mead Metals we strive to understand not only what the customer wants, but also what they are trying to achieve. Talk to our team today to find out which metal is best for your project or end goal!
