The lightest and hardest metal in the world. The most durable metal: what it is. What is titanium

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 was the strength of the metal that played 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. 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.

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.

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 breathe in air containing dust or beryllium vapors, beryllium disease occurs, 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 aerospace for the creation of heat shields and guidance systems, for the creation of refractory materials. And even the LHC's vacuum tube is made of beryllium.

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.

As a pure substance, iron is not as solid as compared to other participants in the rating. But because of minimum costs for mining, it is often combined with other elements to produce steel.

Steel is a very tough alloy made from 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 (unless it is ceramic, of course).

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 doped 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.

It is very much, which, although it is found in nature in its pure form, usually comes in a "makeweight" - an admixture to molybdenite.

If the Iron Man suit were made of rhenium, it could withstand temperatures of 2000 ° C without sacrificing 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 oil chemical industry, electronics and electrical engineering, as well as for the creation of aircraft and rocket engines.

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).

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 will need to build a fire above 2000 ° C.

Iridium is considered one of and also one of the most corrosion resistant elements.

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 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

Most durable metal, which only exists in nature. This rare chemical 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 discover an acid from the mineral wolframite, from which they subsequently isolated tungsten using 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 for 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

Metal	Designation	Ultimate strength, MPa
Lead	Pb	18
Tin	Sn	20
Cadmium	Cd	62
Aluminum	Al	80
	Be	140
Magnesium	Mg	170
Copper	Cu	220
Cobalt	Co	240
Iron	Fe	250
Niobium	Nb	340
Nickel	Ni	400
	Ti	600
Molybdenum	Mo	700
Zirconium	Zr	950
Tungsten	W	1200

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 biocompatible materials at the moment is titanium alloy with gold β-Ti3Au.

Reading time: 5 minutes.

Metals accompany humanity for almost all of its adult life. It began, of course, with copper, since it is the most malleable material and available in nature.

Evolution helped people to develop significantly technically and over time they began to invent alloys that became stronger and stronger. In our time, experiments continue, and every year new strong alloys appear. Let's consider the best of them.

Titanium

Titanium is a highly durable material that is in high demand in many industries. The most common area of application is aviation. This is due to the successful combination of low weight and high strength. Also, the properties of titanium are high specific strength, resistance to physical influences, temperatures and corrosion.

Uranus

One of the most durable elements. V natural conditions it is a weak radioactive metal. It can be found in a free state, is very heavy, and is widely distributed throughout the world due to its paramagnetic properties. Uranium is flexible, has high malleability for forging and relative ductility.

Tungsten

The most refractory metal known today. It has a silver-gray color and is a so-called transition element. The properties of tungsten allow it to resist chemical attack and be forgeable. The most famous field of application is used in incandescent lamps.

Rhenium

The metal is silvery white. In nature, it can be found in its pure form, but there is also a molybdenum raw material, in which it is also found. A distinctive feature of rhenium is its refractoriness. It belongs to expensive metals, so its cost is also off scale. The main area of application is electronics.

Osmium

Osmium is a silvery white metal with a slight blue tint. It belongs to the platinum group and has an unusually great similarity with iridium in such properties as refractoriness, hardness and fragility.

Beryllium

This metal is an element with a light gray tint and high toxicity. With such unusual properties, the material has found wide application in the field of nuclear energy and laser technology. The high strength of beryllium allows it to be used in the manufacture of alloying alloys.

Chromium

The bluish white shade makes chrome stand out from the rest. It is resistant to alkalis and acids. In nature, it can be found in its pure form. Chromium is often used to create various alloys, which are later used in the field of medicine and chemical equipment.

It should be noted that ferrochrome is an alloy of chromium and iron. It is used in the manufacture of tools for cutting metals.

Tantalum

It is a silvery metal with high hardness and density. The lead tint on the metal is formed due to the formation of an oxide film on the surface. Metal lends itself well to processing.

Today, tantalum is successfully used in the construction nuclear reactors and metallurgical production.

Ruthenium

A silvery metal that belongs to the platinum group. It has an unusual composition: it includes the muscle tissue of living organisms. Another distinctive fact is that ruthenium is used as a catalyst for many chemical reactions.

Iridium

In our rating, this metal occupies the first line. It has a silvery white color. Iridium also belongs to the platinum group and has the highest hardness of the above metals. V modern world it is used very often. It is mainly added to other metals to improve their resistance to acidic environments. The metal itself is very expensive, since it is very poorly distributed in nature.

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The use of metals in Everyday life began at the dawn of the development of mankind, and the first metal was copper, since it is available in nature and is easily processed. No wonder archaeologists during excavations find various products and household utensils from this metal. In the process of evolution, people gradually learned to combine various metals, obtaining more and more durable alloys, suitable for the manufacture of tools, and later weapons. In our time, experiments continue, thanks to which it is possible to identify the strongest metals in the world.

Our rating opens with titanium - a high-strength hard metal that immediately attracted attention. The properties of titanium are: high specific strength; resistance to high temperatures; low density; corrosion resistance; mechanical and chemical resistance

9 Uranus
The most famous element, considered one of the strongest metals in the world, and under normal conditions is a weak radioactive metal. In nature, it is found both in a free state and in acidic sedimentary rocks. It is quite heavy, ubiquitous and has paramagnetic properties, flexibility, malleability, and relative ductility. Uranium is used in many areas of production.

8 Tungsten

Known as the most refractory metal in existence, it is one of the toughest metals in the world. It is a solid transitional element of a shiny silver-gray color. Possesses high strength, excellent refractoriness, chemical resistance. Due to its properties, it lends itself to forging, and stretches into a thin thread. Known as tungsten filament.

Among the representatives of this group, it is considered a high-density transition metal of a silvery-white color. In nature, it occurs in its pure form, but it is found in molybdenum and copper raw materials. It is characterized by high hardness and density, and has excellent refractoriness. Has increased strength, which is not lost at multiple temperature drops. Rhenium is an expensive metal and has a high cost. Used in modern technology and electronics.

A shiny, silvery-white metal with a slightly bluish sheen, it belongs to the platinum group and is considered one of the most durable metals in the world. Like iridium, it has a high atomic density, high strength and hardness. Since osmium belongs to platinum metals, it has properties similar to iridium: refractoriness, hardness, brittleness, resistance to mechanical stress, as well as to the influence of aggressive media. It is widely used in surgery, electron microscopy, chemical industry, rocketry, electronic equipment.

5 Beryllium
It belongs to the group of metals, and is a light gray element with relative hardness and high toxicity. Due to its unique properties, beryllium is used in various fields of production: nuclear power; aerospace engineering; metallurgy; laser technology; nuclear power... Due to its high hardness, beryllium is used in the production of alloying alloys and refractory materials.

4 Chrome
The next in the ten most durable metals in the world is chromium - a hard, high-strength metal with a bluish-white color that is resistant to alkalis and acids. It is found in nature in its pure form and is widely used in various branches of science, technology and production. Chromium Is used to create various alloys that are used in the manufacture of medical as well as chemical technological equipment... In combination with iron, it forms an alloy of ferrochrome, which is used in the manufacture of metal-cutting tools.

Bronze in the ranking deserves tantalum, as it is one of the most durable metals in the world. It is a silvery metal with high hardness and atomic density. Due to the formation of an oxide film on its surface, it has a lead tint. Distinctive properties of tantalum are high strength, refractoriness, corrosion resistance, and aggressive media. The metal is a fairly ductile metal and is easy to machine. Today tantalum is successfully used: in the chemical industry; in the construction of nuclear reactors; in metallurgical production; when creating heat-resistant alloys.

2 Ruthenium

The second place in the ranking of the most durable metals in the world is occupied by ruthenium - a silver metal belonging to the platinum group. Its peculiarity is the presence of living organisms in the muscle tissue. The valuable properties of ruthenium are high strength, hardness, refractoriness, chemical resistance, and the ability to form complex compounds. Ruthenium is considered a catalyst for many chemical reactions, acts as a material for the manufacture of electrodes, contacts, sharp tips.

1 Iridium
The rating of the most durable metals in the world is headed by iridium - a silvery-white, hard and refractory metal that belongs to the platinum group. In nature, a high-strength element is extremely rare, and is often combined with osmium. Due to its natural hardness, it is difficult to machine and highly resistant to chemicals. Iridium reacts with great difficulty to exposure to halogens and sodium peroxide. This metal plays an important role in everyday life. It is added to titanium, chromium and tungsten to improve resistance to acidic environments, used in the manufacture of stationery, used in jewelry to create jewelry. The cost of iridium remains high due to its limited presence in nature.

People began to use metal in ancient times. The most accessible metal in nature and amenable to processing is copper. Copper items in the form of household utensils are found by archaeologists during excavations of ancient settlements. With the growth of technological progress, a person learned to make alloys from various metals, which were useful to him in the manufacture of household items and weapons. This is how the most strong metal in the world.

Titanium

This unusually beautiful silver-white metal was discovered almost simultaneously at the end of the 18th century by two scientists - the Englishman W. Gregory and the German M. Klaproth. According to one version, the titan got its name in honor of the characters of ancient Greek myths, the mighty Titans, according to another - from Titania, the queen of the fairies from Germanic mythology - because of its lightness. However, then no use was found for him.

Then in 1925, Dutch physicists were able to isolate pure titanium and discovered many of its benefits. It - high rates processability, specific strength and resistance to corrosion, very high strength at high temperatures. Also has high corrosion resistance. These fantastic performance immediately attracted engineers and designers.

In 1940, the scientist Krol obtained pure titanium using the magnesium-thermal method, and since then this method has been the main one. The strongest metal on earth is mined in many places in the world - Russia, Ukraine, China, South Africa and others.

Titanium is twice as strong as iron in terms of mechanical properties, six times stronger than aluminum. Titanium alloys are currently the most durable in the world, and therefore have found application in the military (construction of submarines, missiles), shipbuilding and aviation industries (on supersonic aircraft).

This metal is also incredibly plastic, so any shape can be made from it - sheets, pipes, wire, tape. Titanium is widely used for the manufacture of medical prostheses (while it is biologically ideally compatible with the tissues of the human body), jewelry, sports equipment, etc.

It is also used in chemical production due to its anti-corrosion properties; this metal does not corrode in an aggressive environment. So, for testing purposes, a titanium plate was placed in sea water, and for 10 years it did not even get rusty!

Due to its high electrical resistance and non-magnetizing properties, it is widely used in radio electronics, for example, in structural parts. mobile phones... The use of titanium in the field of dentistry is very promising, its ability to grow together with human bone tissue is especially important, which gives strength and solidity during prosthetics. It is widely used in the manufacture of medical instruments.

Uranus

The natural oxidizing properties of uranium were used in antiquity (1st century BC) in the manufacture of yellow glaze in ceramic products... One of the most well-known strong metals in world practice, it is weakly radioactive and is used in the production of nuclear fuel. The twentieth century was even called "the age of Uranus". This metal is paramagnetic.

Uranium is 2.5 times heavier than iron, forms many chemical compounds, its alloys with elements such as tin, lead, aluminum, mercury, and iron are used in production.

Tungsten

It is not only the strongest metal in the world, but also very rare, which is not even mined anywhere, but was obtained by chemical means back in 1781 in Sweden. The most temperature-resistant metal in the world. Due to its high refractoriness, it lends itself well to forging, while it is pulled into a thin thread.

Its most famous application is tungsten filament in light bulbs. It is widely used for the production of special tools (cutters, cutters, surgical) and in jewelry production. Due to its property not to transmit radioactive rays, containers for storing nuclear waste are produced from it. Tungsten deposits in Russia are located in Altai, Chukotka, and the North Caucasus.

Rhenium

It got its name in Germany (the Rhine River), where it was discovered in 1925, the metal itself is white. It is mined both in pure form (Kuril Islands), and in the extraction of molybdenum and copper raw materials, but in very small quantities.

The strongest metal on earth is very hard and dense, melts perfectly. The strength is high and does not depend on temperature changes, the disadvantage is the high cost, toxic to humans. Used in electronics and aircraft industries.

Osmium

The heaviest element, for example, a kilogram of osmium, looks like a ball that fits easily in your hand. Refers to the platinum group of metals, the price is several times higher than gold. It got its name from the bad smell of a chemical reaction carried out by the English scientist S. Tennant in 1803.

Outwardly, it looks very beautiful: shiny silver crystals with a blue and light blue tint. It is usually used as an additive to other metals in industry (high-strength metal-ceramic cutters, blades of medical knives). Its non-magnetic and durable properties are used in the manufacture of high-precision instruments.

Beryllium

It was obtained by the chemist Paul Lebeau at the end of the 19th century. Initially, this metal was nicknamed "sweet" because of its candy taste. Then it turned out that it has other attractive and original properties, for example, it does not want to enter into any chemical reactions with other elements, with rare exceptions (halogen).

The strongest metal in the world is both hard, brittle, lightweight, and highly toxic at the same time. Its exceptional strength (for example, a wire with a diameter of 1 mm can withstand the weight of a person) is used in laser and space technology, nuclear power.

New discoveries

We can talk about very strong metals even further, but technical progress is moving forward. Scientists from California recently announced to the world the emergence of "liquid metal" (from the word "liquid"), which is superior in strength to titanium. In addition, it turned out to be super lightweight, flexible and highly durable. Therefore, scientists have to create and develop ways to use the new metal, and in the future, perhaps, to make many more discoveries.

When talking about the toughest metals in the world, I immediately remember a medieval knight with a sword at the ready and in armor from the legendary Damascus steel... It is it that many people reasonably consider the most solid, durable, not amenable to either mechanical or chemical influences. But steel is not a pure metal, it consists of several components that have been processed to change the final properties of the finished product. Therefore, it cannot be called a substance with the highest hardness. What is the most durable metal on the planet?

10 Titanium

Titanium is at the 10th position in our ranking of the strongest metals in the world. It is highly durable solid silver color with low density. Titanium is resistant to high temperatures, it does not lend itself to corrosion, is resistant to chemicals and is not afraid of mechanical damage. It is possible to melt titanium only at temperatures above 3200 degrees, and it boils, warming up to a temperature of 3300 degrees. The scope of application of this metal is wide and varied - from the military industry to medicine.

Titanium was discovered in the 18th century by English and German chemists, and named after the Titans - giant mythical creatures with unprecedented strength and other supernatural abilities.

For a long time, titanium was not used for industrial purposes, since they could not get around the natural brittleness of this metal. It was possible to get it in its pure form only in the winter of 1925.

9

Uranium ranks 9th in the Top 10. Its distinctive feature is weak radioactivity. Uranium occurs in nature both in pure form and as a constituent element of sedimentary rocks. Among the main properties of this metal, it is necessary to highlight good flexibility and ductility, ductility, which allows it to be used in various industries.

Heat-treated uranium alloys are highly resistant to corrosion; products made from them do not change shape with temperature drops. That is why this metal was used for the manufacture of tool steel until the mid-30s of the last century, but later this technology was abandoned.

8

Tungsten is in 8th place in our ranking. This metal has amazing refractory properties that have no analogues. It boils at an incredibly high temperature - 5900 degrees. Moreover, this solid silver-gray metal with a characteristic luster is not afraid of even the most aggressive chemicals, easily takes shape during the forging process and is able to stretch without breaking into the finest thread. Tungsten filament - everyone has heard and seen about it. So this thread is made from tungsten.

From the German language, the word "tungsten" is translated as "wolf foam"
The metal was discovered by the Swedish chemist Karl Scheele in 1781

7 Rhenium

This silvery-white transition metal belongs to the category of expensive, it is indispensable in the manufacturing process of modern electronics and technology. Rhenium was awarded the title of one of the most durable metals in the world due to its hardness and density, which do not decrease even under the influence of temperature extremes. Rhenium is refractory, it is produced from molybdenum and copper ores. This process is rather complicated and labor-intensive, which explains the high cost of the finished metal. To obtain 1 kg of rhenium, you need 2 thousand tons of ore, finished production this metal is no more than 40 tons per year.

Rhenium was invented by the famous German chemists Ida and Walter Noddack, and they named it after the picturesque river Rhine.

6 Osmium

The 6th position in our rating is given to osmium - the strongest metal in the world, belonging to the platinum group and characterized by an incredible density. By analogy with most platinum metals, osmium is refractory and hard, but at the same time it is fragile; not afraid of mechanical damage and exposure to aggressive substances.

A distinctive feature of osmium is a silvery white color with a subtle bluish tinge and a rather unpleasant odor (something reminiscent of a combination of garlic and bleach). In its pure form, in nature, this metal is not found, very rarely it can be found in conjunction with iridium, and even then only in some regions of Siberia, Canada, the USA and South Africa. Osmium is scarce, so it is extremely expensive and is used only where colossal investments in its production are justified. This metal is used in electronics, space and chemical industries, and in surgery. It is the main ingredient in the production of the rare drug cortisone.

Osmium is the most expensive metal in the world. The price for 1 gram can reach 200 thousand dollars.

5

Beryllium has a light gray color, is characterized by hardness, fire resistance, good thermal conductivity and toxicity. Metal is mined from rocks, commonly used modern science... It is indispensable in the aerospace and aviation industries, in nuclear power engineering and in metallurgy.

4

Chromium is the most abundant of the hardest metals in the world, products made from

which is sure to be found in every home. It is durable, resistant to aggressive environments, has a light blue color and a characteristic shine. Chromium is widespread in nature in the form of chromium iron ore, it is used in almost all industries, it is added to the composition of other metals to give them additional hardness, resistance to corrosion and improve appearance... Chrome-plated details of interior items, plumbing fixtures and household appliances become an excellent decoration for every home.

The melting point of chromium is 1907 degrees, it boils at a temperature of 2671 degrees. In its pure form, chromium is very viscous and viscous, but in combination with oxygen it becomes brittle and super hard.

3

Tantalum is the 3rd place in our rating, it deserves a "bronze medal" as one of the strongest metals on the planet. Silver tantalum with a characteristic lead luster, is distinguished by increased hardness and surprising density. Along with refractoriness, strength, resistance to rust and aggressive chemical attack, this metal is characterized by plasticity. It can be easily machined, which is highly valued in the chemical industry and metallurgy. Metal is indispensable during the construction of nuclear reactors, it is the main element of heat-resistant alloys.

2 Ruthenium

Ruthenium is silvery in color, characterized by a unique feature - the presence of living creatures in the muscle tissue fragments. According to scientists, it was such an unusual composition that influenced the properties of the metal and made it super strong.
Ruthenium is not only strong and solid - it is also chemically stable, can enter into complex compounds and plays the role of a catalyst for chemical reactions. The properties of this metal described above make it indispensable in the manufacture of various wiring and contacts, laboratory glassware... Metal is also in demand in jewelry. As for the production of ruthenium itself, it is almost entirely concentrated in the Republic of South Africa.

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