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 be living in huts, using stone as our main tool. It is the strength of the metal that played an important role in shaping our past and is now working as the foundation on which we build the future.

Some of them are very soft and literally melt in your 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 interested in which metals are the hardest and most durable 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 parameters such as:

• Young's modulus: takes into account the elasticity of an element under tension, that is, the ability of an object to resist under elastic deformation.
• Yield strength: determines the maximum tensile strength of a material, after which it begins to exhibit ductile behavior.
• Tensile Strength: ultimate tensile 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 tantalum you will have to light a fire at a temperature of 3 017 ° C.

Tantalum is mainly used in the electronics sector for the production of durable, heavy duty capacitors for telephones, home computers, cameras, and even for electronic devices in automobiles.

9. Beryllium

But it is better not to approach this metallic handsome man without protective equipment. Because beryllium is highly toxic, and has a carcinogenic and allergic effect. If you inhale air containing dust or vapors of beryllium, then a berylliosis disease will occur that affects the lungs.

However, beryllium is not only harmful, but also good. For example, add only 0.5% beryllium to steel and get springs that will be resilient even if brought to red heat. They withstand billions of load cycles.

Beryllium is used in the aerospace industry to create thermal screens and guidance systems, to create refractory materials. And even the vacuum tube of the Large Hadron Collider is made of beryllium.

8. Uranus

This natural 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 applications - nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. Thus, the final products of the uranium industry are bombs and radioactive waste.

7. Iron and steel

As a pure substance, iron is not so solid in comparison with other rating participants. But because of the minimal cost of mining, it is often combined with other elements for steel production.

Steel is a very strong alloy of iron and other elements such as carbon. This is the most commonly used material in construction, engineering and other industries. And even if you have nothing to do with them, you still use steel every time you cut products with a knife (unless, of course, it is ceramic).

6. Titanium

Titanium is almost synonymous with strength. It has an impressive specific strength (30-35 km), which is almost twice as high as the similar characteristic of alloy steels.

Being a refractory metal, titanium is highly resistant to heat and abrasion, therefore it is 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 lightweight construction, then it is better than metal to find titanium. This makes him the number one choice for creating various parts in aircraft and rocket science and shipbuilding.

5. Rhenium

This is a very rare and expensive metal, which, although it is found in nature in its pure form, usually comes with an “admixture” of an admixture of molybdenite.

If the Iron Man costume were made from rhenium, it could withstand temperatures of 2000 ° C without loss of strength. What would happen to Iron Man himself inside the suit after such a "fire show" we will keep silent.

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 to create aircraft engines and rockets.

4. Chrome

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

Chrome is appreciated for its high corrosion resistance and hardness. It is easier to handle than platinum group metals, moreover, it is more common, therefore chromium is a popular element used in alloys such as stainless steel.

And one of the strongest metals on Earth is used to create dietary supplements. Of course, you will not take pure chromium inside, 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 in appearance resembles platinum. It is very hard and refractory. To melt iridium, you will have to make a bonfire with temperatures above 2000 ° C.

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

2. Osmium

This "tough nut" in the world of metals 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 to 3033 ° C.

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

1. Tungsten

The most durable metal that exists in nature. This rare chemical element is also the most refractory of metals (3422 ° C).

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

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

Tungsten is also used for the manufacture of hard alloys, and in the aerospace industry - for the manufacture of rocket nozzles.

Table of tensile strength of metals

Alloys against metals

Alloys are combinations of metals, and the main reason for their creation is to obtain a more durable 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 here is not a "champion". Particularly promising are metallurgy alloys based on vanadium steel: several companies produce options with a tensile strength of up to 5205 MPa.

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

Watch the video: 7 Strangest u0026 Coolest Materials Which Actually Exist (November 2024).