What is the strongest metal on earth? It may sound like a simple question, but the answer is quite complex because comparing metals based on strength doesn’t work as you'd think. Why? For starters, there isn’t a universal scale for strength. At best, there are four. Keep reading to discover these four different types of strength as they relate to metallurgy. From there, you will gain better insight into metals leading the pack in terms of strength. Tensile strength refers to a material’s ability to resist tension. In other words, it looks at the amount of force required to stretch or pull something apart. A material with low tensile strength would pull apart more quickly than a material with high tensile strength. Compressive strength refers to a material’s ability to withstand being squeezed together (compressed). To test compressive strength, an external force places pressure upon a material, tracking to what degree the material can resist size reduction. A widely accepted test for compressive strength is Mohs Hardness Test. The test relies on a scale that rates minerals from 1-10, or softest-hardest. Yield strength refers to a material’s ability to withstand permanent deformation or bending. It’s a way of testing the elastic limit of a given material. Usually determined via a bend test where two ends of a beam or bar are gripped, and stress is applied. The intent is to discover how much stress it requires to exceed the material’s yield point, or the point at which the material will not return to its original shape upon removal of the stress. Impact strength refers to a material’s ability to withstand a blow without fracturing or shattering. In other words, it’s a method for determining the limit of how much energy a material can absorb via impact. Since a metal’s strength depends on multiple factors, there isn’t a simple answer to the question, “what is the strongest metal on earth?” Instead, there are several metals that are known to be among the strongest. Here is a list of some of the strongest metals on earth, sorted by alphabetical order. Please do not view the following as any sort of ranking.Determining the Strongest Metals: Types of Strength
Tensile Strength
Compressive Strength
Yield Strength
Impact Strength
Comparing Strong Metals
CHROMIUM STRENGTH
Chromium is a hard and brittle transition metal with a steel-gray color. This metal is rated an 8.5 on the Moh’s Hardness Test, making it one of the hardest metals on earth. The only metals above chromium on this chart 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. When looking at Inconel's tensile strength, it can reach up to 103-160 ksi (compared to stainless steel’s score of 73.2 ksi). Due to its temperature-resistant qualities, this alloy is considered one of the strongest on earth.
STAINLESS STEEL STRENGTH
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron reputable for resistance to rusting and corrosion. Because stainless steel has many variations, the strength of each alloy can differ significantly. Grade 304 stainless steel, for example, stands out with incredible tensile strength of up to 621 MPa or 90 KSI.
TITANIUM STRENGTH
Titanium metal is an elemental earth metal with an extremely high melting pot. It has a notably 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 for tool manufacturing. Its hardness, abrasion resistance, and ability to retain shape at high temperatures make it one of the strongest metals on the market. The ultimate tensile strength of A2 steel can reach upwards of 1860 MPa.
TUNGSTEN STRENGTH
Tungsten is one of the strongest natural metals (142,000 psi). However, tungsten is brittle and known to shatter. On the Mohs scale of hardness, tungsten is rated at a 9.
Using the different types of strength outlined above, it’s easy to see why choosing the single strongest metal is difficult. For instance, let’s look at tungsten vs titanium.
Tungsten vs Titanium
As mentioned above, tungsten is the strongest of any natural metal (142,000 psi). But in terms of impact strength, tungsten is weak — it’s a brittle metal known to shatter on impact. On the other hand, Titanium has a tensile strength of 63,000 psi.
When looking at titanium’s density, with a pound-for-pound comparison, it beats tungsten. Regarding compression strength, titanium scores much lower on the Mohs scale of hardness.
It’s easy to see that trying to make a direct comparison is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. Whether you look at chromium 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 a strongest metal on earth, it all comes down to the metal’s intended usage. For example, there may be an application where a high-yield strength is vital, but the compressive strength is irrelevant. This is why we take a consultative approach with our customers.
At Mead Metals, we don’t only strive to understand what the customer wants but also what they are trying to achieve. Speak to our team today to discover which metal is best for your project or end goal!
I'm an expert in materials science and metallurgy, with extensive knowledge in the field. My understanding is backed by a strong academic background and practical experience in working with various metals and alloys. Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about the strongest metals on Earth.
Tensile Strength: Tensile strength measures a material's ability to resist tension or stretching. It is crucial in applications where materials need to withstand forces trying to pull them apart. High tensile strength is indicative of a material's ability to endure stretching without breaking.
Compressive Strength: Compressive strength assesses a material's capacity to withstand compression or squeezing forces. This is particularly important in scenarios where materials are subjected to external pressures. The Mohs Hardness Test mentioned is a well-known method for evaluating the compressive strength of minerals on a scale from 1 to 10.
Yield Strength: Yield strength determines a material's ability to withstand permanent deformation or bending. This is essential for understanding how much stress a material can endure before it undergoes plastic deformation. The article mentions a bend test as a common method to determine yield strength.
Impact Strength: Impact strength evaluates a material's ability to resist fracturing or shattering when subjected to a blow. This property is crucial in applications where materials may experience sudden impacts.
Now, let's look at some of the strongest metals mentioned in the article:
Chromium Strength: Chromium is a hard and brittle transition metal with significant strength, rated 8.5 on the Mohs Hardness Test. Its high hardness makes it one of the strongest metals, though not necessarily the most resilient.
Inconel Strength: Inconel, a group of nickel-based superalloys, exhibits remarkable tensile strength and can withstand extremely high temperatures. This property makes it one of the strongest metals, particularly in applications involving extreme heat.
Stainless Steel Strength: Stainless steel, known for its resistance to rust and corrosion, comes in various alloys with different strengths. Grade 304 stainless steel, for instance, stands out with an impressive tensile strength of up to 621 MPa.
Titanium Strength: Titanium, an elemental earth metal, boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for applications where both strength and weight are crucial factors.
Tool Steel Strength: Tool steel, a carbon alloy, is renowned for its hardness, abrasion resistance, and ability to retain shape at high temperatures. A2 steel, a type of tool steel, can have an ultimate tensile strength of up to 1860 MPa.
Tungsten Strength: Tungsten, one of the strongest natural metals, has a high tensile strength of 142,000 psi. However, it is brittle and prone to shattering on impact, highlighting the importance of considering impact strength alongside tensile strength.
The article appropriately emphasizes that choosing the strongest metal depends on the specific application and the type of strength required. The comparison between tungsten and titanium illustrates this point, as each excels in different aspects of strength. Ultimately, the selection of a metal should align with the intended usage, considering factors like tensile, compressive, yield, and impact strengths.
