The strongest metals in the world: top 10

Can you imagine what would have happened if our ancestors had not discovered important metals such as silver, gold, copper, and iron? We would probably still live in huts, using stone as our main tool. It is the strength of metal that has played an important role in shaping our past and now work as the foundation on which we build the future.

Some of them are very soft and literally melt in the hands, like the most active metal in the world... Others are so hard that they cannot be bent, scratched or broken without the use of special equipment.

And if you are wondering which metals are the hardest and strongest in the world, we will answer this question, taking into account various estimates of the relative hardness of materials (Mohs scale, Brinell method), as well as such parameters as:

• Young's modulus: takes into account the elasticity of an element in tension, that is, the ability of an object to resist elastic deformation.
• Yield Strength: Determines the maximum tensile strength of a material, after which it begins to exhibit plastic behavior.
• Tensile strength: Ultimate mechanical stress, after which the material begins to break.

10. Tantalum

This metal has three advantages at once: it is durable, dense and very resistant to corrosion. In addition, this element belongs to the group of refractory metals such as tungsten. To melt the tantalum you will need to build a fire at 3,017 ° C.

Tantalum is mainly used in the electronics sector to make durable, heavy duty capacitors for phones, home computers, cameras, and even electronic devices in cars.

9. Beryllium

But it is better not to approach this handsome metal man without protective equipment. Because beryllium is highly toxic and has carcinogenic and allergic effects. If you inhale air containing dust or beryllium vapors, then beryllium disease will occur, affecting the lungs.

However, beryllium is not only harmful, but also beneficial. For example, add only 0.5% beryllium to steel and you get springs that are resilient even when brought to red heat. They can withstand billions of load cycles.

Beryllium is used in the aerospace industry to create heat shields and guidance systems, to create refractory materials. And even the LHC's vacuum tube is made of beryllium.

8. Uranus

This naturally occurring radioactive substance is very widespread in the earth's crust, but concentrated in certain solid rock formations.

One of the hardest metals in the world has two commercially significant uses - nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. Thus, the end products of the uranium industry are bombs and radioactive waste.

7. Iron and steel

As a pure substance, iron is not as solid compared to other participants in the rating. But due to the minimal mining costs, it is often combined with other elements to make steel.

Steel is a very strong alloy of iron and other elements such as carbon.It is the most commonly used material in construction, mechanical engineering and other industries. And even if you have nothing to do with them, you still use steel every time you cut food with a knife (if it is not ceramic, of course).

6. Titanium

Titanium is almost synonymous with toughness. It has an impressive specific strength (30-35 km), which is almost double that of alloy steels.

As a refractory metal, titanium is highly resistant to heat and abrasion, making it one of the most popular alloys. For example, it can be alloyed with iron and carbon.

If you need a very solid and at the same time very light construction, then there is no better metal than titanium. This makes it the number one choice for a variety of parts in aircraft, rocket and shipbuilding.

5. Rhenium

This is very rare and expensive metal, which, although it is found in nature in its pure form, usually comes as a "weight" - an admixture to molybdenite.

If the Iron Man suit were made of rhenium, it could withstand temperatures of 2000 ° C without losing strength. We will keep silent about what would become of Iron Man himself inside the suit after such a "fire show".

Russia is the third country in the world in terms of natural reserves of rhenium. This metal is used in the petrochemical industry, electronics and electrical engineering, as well as in aircraft and rocket engines.

4. Chrome

On the Mohs scale, which measures the resistance of chemical elements to scratches, chromium is in the top five, second only to boron, diamond and tungsten.

Chromium is prized for its high corrosion resistance and hardness. It is easier to handle than platinum group metals and is more common, which is why chromium is a popular element used in alloys such as stainless steel.

And one of the hardest metals on earth is used in dietary supplements. Of course, you will not be taking pure chromium internally, but its food compound with other substances (for example, chromium picolinate).

3. Iridium

Like its "brother" osmium, iridium belongs to the platinum group metals and resembles platinum in appearance. It is very hard and refractory. To melt the iridium, you'll need to build a fire above 2000 ° C.

Iridium is considered one of the heaviest metals on Earthas well as one of the most corrosion resistant elements.

2. Osmium

This "tough nut" in the metal world belongs to the platinum group and has a high density. In fact, it is the densest natural element on Earth (22.61 g / cm3). For the same reason, osmium does not melt up to 3033 ° C.

When alloyed with other platinum-group metals (such as iridium, platinum and palladium), it can be used in many different applications where hardness and durability are required. For example, to create containers for storing nuclear waste.

1. Tungsten

The toughest metal found in nature. This rare chemical element is also the most refractory metal (3422 ° C).

It was first discovered in the form of an acid (tungsten trioxide) in 1781 by the Swedish chemist Karl Scheele. Further research led two Spanish scientists, Juan José and Fausto d'Elhuyar, to the discovery of an acid from the mineral wolframite, from which they subsequently isolated tungsten with charcoal.

In addition to its widespread use in incandescent lamps, tungsten's ability to work in extreme heat makes it one of the most attractive elements in the arms industry. During World War II, this metal played an important role in initiating economic and political relations between European countries.

Tungsten is also used to make hard alloys and in the aerospace industry to make rocket nozzles.

Tensile strength table of metals

Alloys against metals

Alloys are combinations of metals and the main reason for creating them is to obtain a stronger material. The most important alloy is steel, which is a combination of iron and carbon.

The higher the strength of the alloy, the better. And ordinary steel is not a "champion" here. Alloys based on vanadium steel seem to be especially promising for metallurgists: several companies produce versions with a tensile strength of up to 5205 MPa.

And the strongest and hardest of biocompatible materials at the moment is the alloy of titanium with gold β-Ti3Au.