The hardest metal. The hardest metal

A common belief about hardness is diamond or damask steel/damascus steel. If the first mineral is superior to all simple substances existing on Earth that nature has created, then the amazing properties of blades made of rare steel are due to the skill of swordsmiths and additives from other metals. Many technical alloys, used, for example, for the production of super-hard cutters in the engineering industry, creating durable, reliable tools with unique properties, are associated with these additives in the usual symbiosis of iron and carbon, in short, traditionally called steel - chromium, titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel. When readers ask what the hardest metal in the world is, they are bombarded with a barrage of conflicting information on the pages of websites. In this role, according to the authors of various articles, either tungsten or chromium, or iridium with osmium, or titanium with tantalum.

In order to get through the jungle of not always correctly interpreted, albeit accurate facts, it is worth turning to the original source - the system of elements contained both in the composition and in other cosmic objects, left to humanity by the great Russian chemist and physicist D.I. Mendeleev. He had encyclopedic knowledge, made many scientific breakthroughs in knowledge about the structure, composition, and interaction of substances, in addition to the famous table based on the fundamental periodic law he discovered, named after him.

The planets closest to the Sun - Mercury, Venus, Mars, together with our planet, are classified as one - the terrestrial group. There are reasons for this not only among astronomers, physicists and mathematicians, but also among geologists and chemists. The reason for such conclusions among the latter is, among other things, the fact that they all mainly consist of silicates, i.e. various derivatives of the element silicon, as well as numerous metal compounds from Dmitry Ivanovich’s table.

In particular, our planet mostly (up to 99%) consists of ten elements:

But man, in addition to the iron and alloys based on it necessary for survival and development, has always been much more attracted to precious metals, often respectfully called noble metals - gold and silver, and later platinum.

According to the scientific classification adopted by chemists, the platinum group includes ruthenium, rhodium, palladium and osmium with iridium. All of them also belong to noble metals. Based on their atomic mass, they are conventionally divided into two subgroups:

The last two are of particular interest for our pseudo-scientific investigation on the topic of who is the hardest here. This is due to the fact that the large atomic mass compared to other elements: 190.23 for osmium, 192.22 for iridium, according to the laws of physics, also implies a huge specific density, and, consequently, the hardness of these metals.

If dense, heavy gold and lead are soft, plastic substances that are easy to process, then osmium and iridium, discovered at the beginning of the 19th century, turned out to be fragile. Here it is necessary to remember that the measure of this physical property is that a diamond, which can be used to inscribe on any other hard material of natural or artificial origin without much effort, is also extremely fragile, i.e. It's fairly easy to break. Although, at first glance, this seems almost impossible.

In addition, osmium and palladium have many more interesting properties:

• Very high refractoriness.
• Resistant to corrosion and oxidation even when heated to high temperatures.
• Resistant to concentrated acids and other aggressive compounds.

Therefore, along with platinum, including in the form of compounds with it, they are used in the production of catalysts for many chemical processes, high-precision devices, equipment, tools in the medical, scientific, military, and space sectors of human activity.

It is osmium and iridium, and scientists after research believe that this property is approximately equally given to them by nature, are the hardest metals in the world.



And everything would be fine, but not very good. The fact is that both their presence in the earth’s crust and, accordingly, the global production of these very minerals are negligible:

• 10 -11% is their content in the solid shell of the planet.
• The total amount of pure metal produced per year is within the following limits: 4 tons for iridium, 1 t for osmium.
• The price of osmium is approximately equal to the price of gold.

It is clear that these rare earth, expensive metals, despite their hardness, cannot even be used to a limited extent as raw materials for production; perhaps as additives to alloys, compounds with other metals to impart unique properties.

Who is for them?

But a person would not be himself if he had not found a replacement for iridium with osmium. Since it is inappropriate and too expensive to use them, then attention was not without success turned to other metals that have found their application in different situations and industries for the creation of new alloys, composite materials, production of equipment, machines and mechanisms for both civil and military use:

Although the hardest metal in the world, or rather two of them - iridium and osmium, have shown their unique properties only in laboratory conditions, and also as negligible percentage additives to alloys, other compounds for creating new materials necessary for humans should be grateful to nature and for this gift. At the same time, there is no doubt that the inquisitive minds of talented scientists and brilliant inventors will come up with new substances with unique properties, as has already happened with the synthesis of fullerenes, which turned out to be harder than diamond, which is already surprising.

Everything you need to know about titanium, plus chromium and tungsten

Many people are interested in the question: what is the hardest metal in the world? This is titanium. This solid substance will be the focus of most of the article. Let's also get acquainted a little with such hard metals as chromium and tungsten.

9 interesting facts about titanium

1. There are several versions of why the metal got its name. One theory is that he was named after the Titans, fearless supernatural creatures. According to another version, the name comes from Titania, the queen of fairies.
2. Titanium was discovered at the end of the 18th century by a German and English chemist.
3. Titanium has not been used in industry for a long time due to its natural fragility.
4. At the beginning of 1925, after a series of experiments, chemists obtained titanium in its pure form.
5. Titanium shavings are highly flammable.
6. It is one of the lightest metals.
7. Titanium can only melt at temperatures above 3200 degrees.
8. Boils at a temperature of 3300 degrees.
9. Titanium has a silver color.

History of the discovery of titanium

The metal, which was later named titanium, was discovered by two scientists - the Englishman William Gregor and the German Martin Gregor Klaproth. The scientists worked in parallel and did not intersect with each other. The difference between discoveries is 6 years.

William Gregor gave his discovery a name: manakin.

More than 30 years later, the first titanium alloy was obtained, which turned out to be extremely brittle and could not be used anywhere. It is believed that only in 1925 titanium was isolated in its pure form, which became one of the most popular metals in industry.

It has been proven that the Russian scientist Kirillov managed to extract pure titanium in 1875. He published a brochure detailing his work. However, the research of a little-known Russian went unnoticed.

General information about titanium

Titanium alloys are a salvation for mechanics and engineers. For example, the body of an airplane is made of titanium. During flight, it reaches speeds several times greater than the speed of sound. The titanium case heats up to temperatures above 300 degrees and does not melt.

The metal closes the top ten of “The most common metals in nature.” Large deposits have been discovered in South Africa, China and a lot of titanium in Japan, India, and Ukraine.

The total world reserve of titans amounts to more than 700 million tons. If production rates remain the same, there will be enough titanium for another 150-160 years.

The largest producer of the hardest metal in the world is the Russian enterprise VSMPO-Avisma, which satisfies a third of the world's needs.

Properties of titanium

1. Corrosion resistance.
2. High mechanical strength.
3. Low density.

The atomic weight of titanium is 47.88 amu, the serial number in the chemical periodic table is 22. Outwardly, it is very similar to steel.

The mechanical density of the metal is 6 times greater than that of aluminum, 2 times higher than that of iron. It can combine with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen. When paired with carbon, the metal forms incredibly hard carbides.

The thermal conductivity of titanium is 4 times less than that of iron, and 13 times less than that of aluminum.

Titanium mining process

There is a large amount of titanium in the earth, however, extracting it from the depths costs a lot of money. For production, the iodide method is used, the author of which is considered to be Van Arkel de Boer.

The method is based on the ability of the metal to combine with iodine; after decomposition of this compound, pure titanium, free of foreign impurities, can be obtained.

The most interesting things made of titanium:

• prostheses in medicine;
• mobile device boards;
• rocket systems for space exploration;
• pipelines, pumps;
• awnings, cornices, external cladding of buildings;
• most parts (chassis, trim).

Areas of application of titanium

Titanium is actively used in the military sphere, medicine, and jewelry. It was given the unofficial name “metal of the future.” Many say that it helps turn dreams into reality.

The hardest metal in the world was initially used in the military and defense sphere. Today, the main consumer of titanium products is the aircraft industry.

Titanium is a universal construction material. For many years it was used to create aircraft turbines. In aircraft engines, fan elements, compressors, and disks are made from titanium.

The design of a modern aircraft can contain up to 20 tons of titanium alloy.

The main areas of application of titanium in aircraft construction:

• products of spatial form (edging of doors, hatches, cladding, flooring);
• units and components that are subject to heavy loads (wing brackets, landing gear, hydraulic cylinders);
• engine parts (housing, compressor blades).

Thanks to titanium, man was able to pass through the sound barrier and break into space. It was used to create manned missile systems. Titan can withstand cosmic radiation, temperature changes, and movement speed.

This metal has a low density, which is important in the shipbuilding industry. Products made of titanium are lightweight, which means the weight is reduced and its maneuverability, speed, and range are increased. If the ship's hull is sheathed with titanium, it will not need to be painted for many years - titanium does not rust in sea water (corrosion resistance).

Most often, this metal is used in shipbuilding for the manufacture of turbine engines, steam boilers, and condenser pipes.

Oil industry and titanium

Ultra-deep drilling is considered a promising area for the use of titanium alloys. To study and extract underground resources, it is necessary to penetrate deep underground - over 15 thousand meters. Aluminum drill pipes, for example, will rupture due to their own gravity, and only titanium alloys can reach truly great depths.

Not so long ago, titanium began to be actively used to create wells on the sea shelves. Specialists use titanium alloys as equipment:

• oil production installations;
• high pressure vessels;
• deep-sea pumps, pipelines.

Titanium in sports, medicine

Titanium is extremely popular in the sports field due to its strength and lightness. Several decades ago, a bicycle was made from titanium alloys, the first sports equipment made from the hardest material in the world. A modern bicycle consists of a titanium body, the same brake and seat springs.

Titanium golf clubs have been created in Japan. These devices are lightweight and durable, but extremely expensive.

Most of the items that are in the backpack of climbers and travelers are made from titanium - tableware, cooking sets, racks for strengthening tents. Titanium ice axes are very popular sports equipment.

This metal is in great demand in the medical industry. Most surgical instruments are made from titanium - lightweight and convenient.

Another area of ​​application of metal of the future is the creation of prosthetics. Titanium “combines” perfectly with the human body. Doctors called this process “real kinship.” Titanium structures are safe for muscles and bones, rarely cause an allergic reaction, and are not destroyed by fluid in the body. Titanium prostheses are durable and can withstand enormous physical loads.

Titanium is an amazing metal. It helps a person achieve unprecedented heights in various areas of life. It is loved and revered for its strength, lightness and long years of service.

Chromium is one of the hardest metals.

Interesting facts about chromium

1. The name of the metal comes from the Greek word “chroma”, which means paint.
2. In the natural environment, chromium is not found in its pure form, but only in the form of chromium iron ore, double oxide.
3. The largest deposits of the metal are located in South Africa, Russia, Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe.
4. Metal density – 7200 kg/m3.
5. Chrome melts at a temperature of 1907 degrees.
6. Boils at a temperature of 2671 degrees.
7. Absolutely pure chromium without impurities is characterized by ductility and viscosity. When combined with oxygen, nitrogen or hydrogen, the metal becomes brittle and very hard.
8. This silvery-white metal was discovered by the Frenchman Louis Nicolas Vauquelin at the end of the 18th century.

Properties of chromium metal

Chromium has very high hardness and can cut glass. It is not oxidized by air or moisture. If the metal is heated, oxidation will occur only on the surface.

More than 15,000 tons of pure chromium are consumed per year. The English company Bell Metals is considered the leader in the production of pure chromium.

The largest amounts of chromium are consumed in the USA, Western Europe and Japan. The chrome market is volatile and prices span a wide range.

Areas of use of chromium

Most often used to create alloys and galvanic coatings (chrome plating for transport).

Chromium is added to steel, which improves the physical properties of the metal. These alloys are most in demand in ferrous metallurgy.

The most popular grade of steel consists of chromium (18%) and nickel (8%). Such alloys have excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion, and are durable even at high temperatures.

Heating furnaces are made from steel, which contains a third of chromium.

What else is made from chromium?

1. Firearm barrels.
2. Submarine hull.
3. Bricks, which are used in metallurgy.

Another extremely hard metal is tungsten.

Interesting facts about tungsten

1. The name of the metal translated from German (“Wolf Rahm”) means “wolf foam.”
2. It is the most refractory metal in the world.
3. Tungsten has a light gray tint.
4. The metal was discovered at the end of the 18th century (1781) by the Swede Karl Scheele.
5. Tungsten melts at a temperature of 3422 degrees, boils at 5900.
6. Metal has a density of 19.3 g/cm³.
7. Atomic mass – 183.85, element of group VI in the periodic system of Mendeleev (serial number – 74).

Tungsten Mining Process

Tungsten belongs to a large group of rare metals. It also includes rubidium and molybdenum. This group is characterized by a low prevalence of metals in nature and a small scale of consumption.

The production of tungsten consists of 3 stages:

• separating metal from ore, accumulating it in solution;
• isolation of the compound, its purification;
• separation of pure metal from a finished chemical compound.
• The starting materials for producing tungsten are scheelite and wolframite.

Applications of tungsten

Tungsten is the basis of most strong alloys. It is used to make aircraft engines, parts of electric vacuum devices, and incandescent filaments.
The high density of the metal makes it possible to use tungsten to create ballistic missiles, bullets, counterweights, and artillery shells.

Tungsten-based compounds are used for processing other metals, in the mining industry (well drilling), paint and varnish, and textiles (as a catalyst for organic synthesis).

From complex tungsten compounds they make:

• wires – used in heating furnaces;
• tapes, foil, plates, sheets - for rolling and flat forging.

Titanium, chromium and tungsten top the list of "The Hardest Metals in the World." They are used in many areas of human activity - aviation and rocketry, military, construction, and at the same time, this is not the full range of applications of metals.

When wondering about the strongest metal in the world, you probably imagine a warrior with a huge sword, cutting down everything in his path. But steel is most often used to make weapons. Firstly, it is not a metal, but an alloy of iron and carbon, and secondly, it is far from the most durable on earth. The strongest metal on earth is titanium.

The exact origin of the name of this substance is not known. Some believe that it was named after Titania, a fairy from Germanic mythology. The main argument of supporters of this point of view is the density of titanium - the metal is not only very strong, but also very light. Another point of view is based on the consonance of the name of the metal and the name of the mighty gods - the Titans. Independently of each other, the Englishman Gregor and the German Klaptor discovered titanium at the end of the 17th century. Immediately after the discovery of the metal, it was added to the periodic table. There he can be found at number 22.

At first, people had problems using titanium, since it was very (paradoxically) fragile. This was due to the fact that pure titanium, that same strong metal, could only be isolated in 1925. Before this, it was found only in natural alloys, which made it fragile. Now it is used to create armor, medical prostheses and in jewelry.

Just recently, scientists from California announced that they had managed to create the strongest alloy in the world. Moreover, this alloy may be the strongest substance on earth. It consists of palladium and a small amount of silver and other metals (scientists have not yet disclosed the exact composition). The main feature of the new alloy is the absence of a crystal lattice in its classical form. In it, the molecules are not crystallized, but are sandwiched in a glass-like liquid.

One of the creators of the alloy, Marios Demitrou, claims that within a year such a metal alloy can be used in medical implants and as car parts. But scientists have yet to solve the main problem of the new alloy - its high cost. According to Marios Demitrou, his team has already begun research that will reduce the cost of the alloy by more than 80%.

Many lovers of interesting facts are interested in the question, which metal is the hardest? And it won’t be easy to answer this question offhand. Of course, any chemistry teacher will easily say correctly, without even thinking. But among ordinary citizens who last studied chemistry at school, not many will be able to give the answer correctly and quickly. This is due to the fact that since childhood everyone has been accustomed to making various toys from wire and has well remembered that copper and aluminum are soft and bend well, but steel, on the contrary, is not so easy to give the desired shape. A person deals with the three named metals most often, so he doesn’t even consider the other candidates. But steel is certainly not the hardest metal in the world. To be fair, it is worth noting that this is not a metal at all in the chemical sense, but a compound of iron and carbon.

What is titanium?

The hardest metal is titanium. Pure titanium was first obtained in 1925. This discovery created a sensation in scientific circles. Industrialists immediately drew attention to the new material and appreciated the benefits of its use. According to the official version, the hardest metal on Earth got its name in honor of the indestructible Titans, who, according to ancient Greek mythology, were the founders of the world.

According to scientists, the total world reserves of titanium today are about 730 million tons. At the current rate of extraction of fossil raw materials, there will be enough for another 150 years. Titanium ranks 10th in natural reserves among all known metals. The world's largest titanium producer is the Russian company VSMPO-Avisma, which satisfies up to 35% of global needs. The company is engaged in the full processing cycle from ore mining to the manufacture of various products. It occupies about 90% of the Russian titanium production market. About 70% of finished products are exported.

Titanium is a light, silver-colored metal with a melting point of 1670 degrees Celsius. It exhibits high chemical activity only when heated; under normal conditions it does not react with most chemical elements and compounds. It is not found in nature in its pure form. Common in the form of rutile (titanium dioxide) and ilmenite (a complex substance consisting of titanium dioxide and ferrous oxide) ores. Pure titanium is isolated by sintering the ore with chlorine and then displacing the more active metal (usually magnesium) from the resulting tetrachloride.

Industrial applications of titanium

The hardest metal has a fairly wide range of applications in many industries. Amorphously arranged atoms provide titanium with the highest level of tensile and torsional strength, good impact resistance, and high magnetic qualities. The metal is used to make air transport bodies and missiles. It copes well with the enormous loads that cars experience at great heights. Titanium is also used in the production of hulls for submarines, as it can withstand high pressure at great depths.

In the medical industry, metal is used in the manufacture of dentures and dental implants, as well as surgical instruments. The element is added as an alloying additive to some grades of steel, which gives them increased strength and resistance to corrosion. Titanium is well suited for casting as it produces perfectly smooth surfaces. It is also used to make jewelry and decorative items. Titanium compounds are also actively used. Dioxide is used to make paints, whitewash, and is added to paper and plastic.

Organic titanium salts are used as a hardening catalyst in paint and varnish production. Various tools and attachments for processing and drilling other metals are made from titanium carbide. In precision engineering, titanium aluminide is used to produce wear-resistant elements that have a high safety margin.

The hardest metal alloy was obtained by American scientists in 2011. Its composition included palladium, silicon, phosphorus, germanium and silver. The new material was called "metallic glass". It combines the hardness of glass and the plasticity of metal. The latter prevents cracks from spreading, as happens with standard glass. Naturally, the material was not put into widespread production, since its components, especially palladium, are rare metals and are very expensive.

At the moment, the efforts of scientists are aimed at searching for alternative components that would preserve the properties obtained, but significantly reduce the cost of production. However, some parts for the aerospace industry are already being produced from the resulting alloy. If alternative elements can be introduced into the structure and the material becomes widespread, then it is quite possible that it will become one of the most popular alloys of the future.

When they talk about the strongest metals in the world, I immediately remember a medieval knight with a sword at the ready and in armor made of the legendary Damascus steel. It is this that many rightly consider to be the hardest, most durable, resistant to mechanical or chemical influences. But steel is not pure metal; it consists of several components that have been processed to change the final properties of the finished product. Consequently, it cannot be called a substance with the highest hardness. What metal is the strongest on the planet?

10 Titan

Titanium is in 10th position in our ranking of the strongest metals in the world. It is a high-strength, silver-colored, low-density solid. Titanium is resistant to high temperatures, it does not corrode, 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 when heated 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 by English and German chemists in the 18th century, and they named it in honor of 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 bypass the natural fragility of this metal. It was possible to obtain it in its pure form only in the winter of 1925

9

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

Uranium alloys subjected to heat treatment are characterized by high resistance to corrosion; products made from them do not change shape due to temperature changes. That is why this metal was used to make 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, unparalleled refractory properties. It boils at an incredibly high temperature - 5900 degrees. And this hard silver-gray metal with a characteristic shine is not afraid of even the most aggressive chemicals, easily takes shape during the forging process and is able to stretch into the thinnest thread without breaking. Tungsten filament - every person has heard and seen it. So this thread is made from tungsten.

From German the word “tungsten” is translated as “wolf foam”
The metal was discovered by Swedish chemist Carl Scheele in 1781

7 Rhenium

This silvery-white transition metal belongs to the expensive category, 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 changes. Rhenium is refractory and is produced from molybdenum and copper ore. This process is quite complex and labor-intensive, which explains the high cost of the finished metal. To obtain 1 kg of rhenium, 2 thousand tons of ore are needed; the finished production of this metal is no more than 40 tons per year.

Rhenium was invented by famous German chemists Ida and Walter Noddack, and they named it in honor of the picturesque Rhine River.

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 incredible density. By analogy with most platinum metals, osmium is refractory and hard, but at the same time it is fragile; is not afraid of mechanical damage and exposure to aggressive substances.

A distinctive feature of osmium is its silvery-white color with a barely noticeable bluish tint and a rather unpleasant odor (something reminiscent of a combination of garlic and bleach). This metal is not found in its pure form in nature; very rarely it can be found in conjunction with iridium, and even then only in some areas of Siberia, Canada, the USA and South Africa. Osmium is scarce, so it is extremely expensive and is used only where the enormous investment in its extraction is justified. This metal is used in electronics, the space and chemical industries, and surgery. It is the main component in the production of a 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 and is characterized by hardness, fire resistance, good thermal conductivity and toxicity. The metal is mined from rocks and is widely used by modern science. It is indispensable in the aerospace industry and aviation, in nuclear energy and in metallurgy.

4

Chromium is the most common 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 soft blue color and a characteristic shine. Chromium is widely distributed in nature in the form of chromium iron ore, it is used in almost all industries, and is added to other metals to give them additional hardness, corrosion resistance and improve their appearance. Chrome-plated parts 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 extremely hard.

3

Tantalum is in 3rd place in our ranking; it is worthy of a “bronze medal” as one of the most durable metals on the planet. Tantalum has a silvery color with a characteristic lead-like luster, is characterized by increased hardness and amazing density. Along with refractoriness, strength, resistance to rust and aggressive chemical attack, this metal is characterized by ductility. It is easily machined, which is highly valued in the chemical industry and metallurgy. The metal is indispensable during the construction of nuclear reactors; it is the main element of heat-resistant alloys.

2 Ruthenium

Ruthenium is silver in color and is characterized by a unique feature - the presence of fragments of muscle tissue of living beings. According to scientists, it was this unusual composition that influenced the properties of the metal and made it super-strong.
Ruthenium is not only strong and hard, it is also chemically stable, can form 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, and laboratory glassware. The 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.

1 Iridium

Iridium was unanimously awarded the title of the strongest metal in the world - a refractory substance of unprecedented hardness. It is an extremely rare metal, not found in its pure form, but is sometimes mined in combination with osmium. Iridium is hard and therefore difficult to machine and is resistant to chemicals. It is used to impart additional oxidation resistance to chromium and titanium and is used in jewelry and many industries.