Which metal is considered the most durable
Which metal is considered the most durable
Hardness and strength of metals are oftenis associated with steel. But steel is not really a pure metal, but an alloy of a number of substances. In certain proportions, these substances give the steel a hardness, ductility or strength. But there is metal, which even in pure form is several times stronger than steel. Named after the ancient Greek gods, the most durable metal on the planet is titanium.
History of the discovery
Titan was discovered in the late 18th century by independentscientists from England and Germany. In the periodic table of elements D.I. Mendeleev Titanium is located in group 4 with atomic number 22. For quite some time scientists have not seen any prospects in the titanium, because it was very fragile. But in 1925 the Dutch scientists I. de Boer and A. Van Arkel in the laboratory were able to obtain pure titanium, which became a real breakthrough in all industries.Properties of titanium
Pure titanium was incredibly technological. It has ductility, low density, high specific strength, corrosion resistance, as well as strength when exposed to high temperatures. Titanium is twice as strong as steel and six times stronger than aluminum. In supersonic aviation, titanium is indispensable. After all, at an altitude of 20 km the plane develops a speed that exceeds the speed of sound three times. At the same time, the temperature of the airframe is heated to 300oC. Such conditions can withstand only titanium alloys.Titanium shavings are fire hazardous, and titanium dust can explode at all. In the explosion, the flash point can reach 400 ° C.
The most durable on the planet
Titanium is so light and strong that from italloys make hulls of aircraft and submarines, bulletproof vests and armor of tanks, and also used in nuclear technology. Another remarkable property of this metal is its passive effect on living tissue. Only titanium is made by osteoprothesis. Of some titanium compounds, semi-precious stones and jewelry are made. The chemical industry also did not leave titanium without attention. In many corrosive environments, the metal is not susceptible to corrosion. Titanium dioxide is used for the manufacture of white paint, in the manufacture of plastic and paper, as well as food additive E171.In the scale of hardness of metals, titanium is second only to platinum metals and tungsten.
