The metals that exist on Earth vary a lot in characteristics. Some are shiny, others are dull. Some are flexible, others are tough. But what’s the strongest metal on Earth? Interestingly enough, this question isn’t so easy. In order to figure out the strongest metal on the Planet, we have to understand how metal strength is classified — and it’s not just in one way! Let’s dive in!
How To Quantify Metal Strength
Before we can determine the strongest metal on Earth, we have to understand how metals are ranked for strength. There are actually four types of metal strength:
- Yield strength — This is the maximum amount that a metal can carry before permanently taking on a new shape.
- Tensile strength — This is the amount of pulling stress a metal can tolerate before breaking into pieces.
- Comprehensive strength — This is the amount of pressure that can be applied to a metal before it is damaged.
- Impact strength — This is the lowest amount of impact a metal needs to be hit with before breaking.
Because metals are quantified in a few different ways, it’s more difficult than it seems to determine the strongest metal on Earth.
What Is the Strongest Metal on Earth?
Different metals exceed in different types of strength, so an argument can be made for a few different types of metals. Additionally, some metals are extremely rare, so they may be strong, but they aren’t particularly practical.
Steel is definitely one of the strongest metals in the world, and it’s also common, making it a very practical choice for projects requiring heavy metal. Steel used for building is generally mixed with a few other types of metals to maximize its strength.
Chromium is another contender for the strongest metal on Earth, and it’s often blended with steel to create stainless steel. When manganese is mixed in, the metal produces an extremely high tensile strength and yield strength.
However, the strongest type of metal on Earth is tungsten. Tungsten is extremely rare, so it’s generally alloyed with other types of metals so that its strength can be harnessed without sacrificing too much of the metal. Tungsten has the highest tensile strength of any metal on the planet, meaning it can tolerate extreme amounts of pulling.
Clearly, it’s not as simple as it seems to quantify the strongest metal on Earth. However, tungsten is certainly a top contender for the title, with extreme tensile strength and a high melting point.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © SimoneN/iStock via Getty Images
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