What is the heaviest metal in the world - Metals and their processing

The hardest metal in the world: name and other properties

Platinum and her group

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 for the most part (up to 99%) consists of ten elements:

Oxygen. This is the air of the atmosphere, and a huge amount of water in the World Ocean, where its content reaches almost 86%, as well as forests as the “green lungs” of the Earth. More than 1.5 thousand various compounds with its participation in the solid shell of the planet.
Silicon and calcium. Their content in the earth's crust is 29.5 and 3.38%, respectively. Their connections are the earth itself - the solid surface under our feet, mountains, hills and hills on the horizon and beyond.
Metals: aluminum, iron, which account for up to 8 and 4% of the mass of the earth's crust. An inseparable couple is sodium and potassium, as well as magnesium, titanium and manganese.

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:

Lightweight - ruthenium, rhodium and palladium.
Heavy - platinum, osmium and iridium.

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, 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:

Titanium. It is with the beginning of the use of this lightweight, but at the same time very hard, durable, ductile, refractory metal that the appearance of jet civil and military aircraft, including those reaching speeds many times faster than sound, is associated. It is also widely used and is indispensable in the creation of space technology, modern sea vessels, ocean liners, and in many other industries.
Tungsten. A very hard, most refractory metal, which also has great resistance to any external influences. Highly in demand by humanity.
Chromium, vanadium, manganese. This trio of metals, together and separately, as well as with the adjoining nickel, has been actively used by metallurgists for decades to create new types of steel, special hard alloys with various unique properties.

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.

Source: https://vseonauke.com/1199029814760049215/samyj-tverdyj-metall-v-mire-nazvanie-i-drugie-svojstva/

12 of the rarest gemstones in the world • VseZnaesh.ru

Today, about 200 varieties of natural precious stones are known in the world. Along with precious stones (natural diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and alexandrites, as well as natural pearls in raw (natural) and processed forms) there are many semi-precious stones, some of which are incredibly rare that their value exceeds many of the most valuable gemstones in the world.

VseZnaesh.ru has compiled a list of the rarest gems from around the world.

1. Grandidierite

An amazingly beautiful mineral discovered in Madagascar was named after the island explorer Alfred Grandidier. The stones have a pronounced white-green-blue tricolor. The first sample of pure grandidierite was purchased for 29 thousand dollars. Today, the existence of 8 genuine minerals has been confirmed.

2. Ermeevit

In the 19th century, scientist Pavel Eremeev discovered a stone that he considered a special type of aquamarine. Later it was found that it is an independent mineral. No more than three stones are mined per year. The price per carat starts at $2,000. Products with eremeevite are objects of antique jewelry value.

3. Majorite

Majorite is named after physicist Alan Major, a unique purple mineral also called purple garnet. Garnets acquire this color when exposed to enormous pressure. It was first discovered in Western Australia. The cost of the 4.2-carat mineral was $6.8 million.

4. Taaffeeit

One of the rarest minerals got its name in honor of the Irish scientist Taaffe, who discovered the stone in 1945. The authenticity of the stones is determined by the effect of double refraction of light. The price of minerals reaches $10,000 per carat.

5. Benitoite

A stone of rich blue color, capable of self-luminescence in white-blue color under the influence of ultraviolet light. The mineral is unique, found only in the USA, in San Benito County and is a symbol of the state of California. The price of processed benitoite reaches up to $4,000 per carat.

6. Painite (painite)

The red-orange stone, named after the English scientist Arthur Payne, appears in the Guinness Book of Records as the rarest mineral. In the world, 18 gem-quality stones have been recorded and described. The transparent, intensely colored mineral is extremely rare; only three have been found so far.

7. Red diamond (red diamond)

Among colored gems, the rarest is the red diamond, the average price for 1 carat of which reaches 1 million dollars. Natural color is purple-red. This color is given to such diamonds by constant deformations in the structure of the crystal lattice. The most beautiful stones are rated “fancy red.” The only active mine is the Argyle mine in Western Australia. There are about 50 red diamonds in the world.

8. Jadeite

Jewelry jadeite is a rare stone with a bright green to emerald green color. The Imperial variety is considered the most valuable of jadeites. The largest faceted jadeite is valued at $2 million.

9. Poudretteite (Poudretteite)

The pale pink mineral is named after the Canadian Poudrette family, who owned the quarry where the stone was discovered. One of the rarest gems. The first gem-quality stone weighing 9.41 carats was found in 2000 in Myanmar. Currently, Canada is the main supplier of powderitte.

10. Red beryl

"Red beryl" or "red emerald" was first described in 1904 by the American mineralogist Bixby. Chemical analysis shows a connection with aquamarine and emerald, but red beryl is a very rare mineral. There are active deposits only in the USA. The extraction process is technologically very complex. The largest faceted mineral weighs no more than 10 carats.

11. Alexandrite

An amazing stone that can change its color was discovered in 1830 in the Urals in Russia and named after the Russian Tsar Alexander II. Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl and appears blue-green in sunlight, but turns red-violet in incandescent light. The cost of this gem weighing up to 1 carat is $15,000, but a stone weighing more than one carat will cost $70,000 per carat.

12. Black opal

Opals are typically creamy white in color and have iridescent inclusions that reflect light when the stone is moved. Black opals are much rarer because almost all of them are found in mines in Lightning Ridge, Australia. The darker their color and brighter the inclusions, the more valuable the stone. One of the most valuable black opals of all time is Aurora Australis, which sold in 2005 for $763,000.

Source: https://vseznaesh.ru/12-samyh-redkih-dragotsennyh-kamnej-v-mire

7 heaviest elements on Earth | By atomic mass

We need to be more specific when talking about how heavy an element is. There are two possible ways to determine the "heaviest" elements - based on their density or atomic mass.

The heaviest element in terms of density can be defined as mass per unit volume, which is usually measured in grams per cubic centimeter or kilograms per cubic meter.

The densest natural element on Earth is osmium. This shiny substance has a density of 22.59 g/cm3, slightly more than that of iridium.

Another way to look at heaviness is as atomic weight, the average mass of an element's atoms. The standard unit of atomic mass is one twelfth the mass of one carbon-12 atom.

This is a fundamental concept in chemistry because most chemical reactions occur according to simple numerical relationships between atoms. Below we have listed the 7 heaviest elements found on Earth according to their atomic masses.

Note: We have not mentioned elements whose properties are unknown or not yet confirmed, such as moscovium, flerovium, nihonium and meitnerium.

7. Rutherfordium

Atomic mass: 267

Rutherfordium (Rf) was the first superheavy element to be discovered [in 1964]. It is highly radioactive and its most stable isotope, 267Rf, has a half-life of about 78 minutes.

Rutherfordium is a man-made element created in a laboratory by bombarding californium-249 with carbon-12 nuclei. A total of 16 isotopes have been recorded with atomic masses between 253 and 270. Most of them decay rapidly through spontaneous fission pathways.

This element is expected to be solid under normal conditions and is expected to have chemical properties similar to hafnium. It has only been created in small quantities and is used only for scientific research.

6. Dubniy

Atomic mass: 268

Dubnium (Db) is a radioactive element first synthesized in 1968 at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Russia. It has seven recognized isotopes, of which the most stable is 268Db with a half-life of 32 hours.

Dubnium can be produced by bombarding californium-249 with nitrogen or americium-243 with neon. Limited analysis of Dubnium's chemistry has confirmed that the element behaves more like niobium than tantalum, breaking periodic trends.

Because the element is not found free in nature or created in large quantities in a laboratory, it has no uses other than scientific research.

5. Siborgium

Atomic mass: 269

Source: https://new-science.ru/7-samyh-tyazhelyh-elementov-na-zemle-po-atomnoj-masse/

Radiologists hide heavy metal accumulation in MRI

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that allows your doctor to see detailed images of your organs and tissues. An MRI machine uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to take detailed cross-sectional pictures of internal organs and tissue.

The scanner looks like a tube with a table that takes you into the tunnel of the machine to collect data. Unlike CT scans or X-rays, which use ionizing radiation, which is known to damage DNA, MRI uses magnetic fields.

Images from MRIs give doctors better information about abnormalities, tumors, cysts and specific problems in the heart, liver, uterus, kidneys and other organs.

In some cases, your doctor may want to enhance the MRI using contrast or dye to improve the clarity of the resulting images. According to a recent international survey, most radiologists do not inform patients when deposits of toxic contrast agents are detected.

FDA Guidance on Gadolinium

Gadolinium is the contrast agent of choice in about a third of cases. It is injected into your body, allowing you to see more detail in MRI images. However, this comes at a cost as it is a highly toxic heavy metal.

To reduce toxicity, it is administered with a chelating agent. However, studies show that up to 25% of gadolinium administered to patients is not cleared, and in some, deposits are still detectable over a long period of time.

In 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began studying the potential health effects of gadolinium deposits in the brain and issued guidance on the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to reduce any potential risk.

Two years later, the agency issued an update saying that "gadolinium retention is not directly associated with adverse health effects in patients with normal kidney function" and that the benefits of GBCA outweigh the potential risks. However, the agency required a new class of warnings and certain safety measures. In its December 19, 2017 statement, the FDA stated:

“After further review with the Medical Imaging Advisory Committee, we will need to warn health care providers and patients about gadolinium retention after GBCA MRI, and take several actions that may help minimize problems.

These include requiring a new patient medication guide that contains educational information that every patient will be required to read before receiving a GBCA. We also require that GBCA manufacturers conduct human and animal studies to further evaluate the safety of these contrast agents

Health care providers should consider the retention characteristics of each agent when selecting GBCA for patients who may be at higher risk for gadolinium retention

Such patients include those requiring multiple lifelong doses, pregnant women, children, and patients with inflammatory conditions. Minimize the number of GBCA imaging whenever possible, especially with closely spaced MRIs.”

Patients should ask to read the medication guide themselves

However, although MRI centers are required to provide gadolinium treatment guidelines, inpatients booked for the first time for enhanced MRI are not required to receive the guidelines unless the patient specifically requests it. A rather nasty detail mentioned in the May 16, 2018 FDA update is this:

“A health care provider who determines that it is not in the patient's best interest to obtain a medication guide because serious concerns about consequences may cause the patient to refuse the procedure may choose not to provide the information.”

In other words, if they think you might say no to a procedure because you're worried about heavy metal toxicity, the health care provider is allowed to simply withhold safety information. This guidance should only be provided if you specifically request it.

While the FDA decided not to restrict the use of any GBCAs, the European Pharmaceutical Agency's Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee recommended suspending the use of four linear gadolinium contrast agents that were found to be less stable (and therefore more likely to accumulate in the brain and cause problems). with the kidneys) than macrocyclic GBCAs.

Most radiologists hide detected gadolinium deposits

An equally alarming finding is that 58% of radiologists withhold evidence of gadolinium deposits from patients when they are detected on scans. According to Health Imaging, the most commonly cited justification for excluding any mention of gadolinium deposits from a radiology report is to avoid “unnecessarily disturbing the patient.”

However, it also prevents patients from taking action to protect their health, which can be very important if they are experiencing the effects of gadolinium toxicity and have not yet realized the cause.

Until now, the greatest risk of GBCAs was thought to be in individuals with severe kidney disease, whose exposure has been associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a debilitating disease involving progressive fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. To avoid this, patients with kidney disease should receive more stable forms of gadolinium chelate.

However, the fact that gadolinium can accumulate in the brain (and throughout the body) even if you don't have kidney problems may have significant, heretofore unrecognized dangers. For example, GBCA use has been associated with increased sensitivity in two brain regions (the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus), the effects of which are still unknown.

Increased intensity in the dentate nucleus has previously been associated with multiple sclerosis, and according to more recent research, it may actually be a result of the large number of enhanced MRI scans that MS patients typically receive. Meanwhile, hyperintensity of the globus pallidus has been associated with liver dysfunction.

Researchers propose new category of diseases due to gadolinium

In the 2016 paper "Gadolinium in Humans: A Family of Disorders," researchers actually propose that GBCA deposits in the body should be considered a new category of disease. They write:

“In early 2014, an investigation by Kanda et al described the development of high signal intensity in brain tissue on T-2-weighted images of patients with normal renal function after repeated administrations of GBCA

This caught many radiologists by surprise, as many believed that gadolinium deposition could not occur in patients with normal renal function. This deposition results in increased signal intensity on non-enhanced T1-weighted images in various brain regions, most notably the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus

To our knowledge, neither the bone deposits first reported by Gibby et al nor the brain deposits first reported by Kanda et al have been associated with a recognized disease. We propose to call these stocks “gadolinium storage state.”

Along with a separate line of inquiry, patient advocacy groups have been formed to report online on the development of severe illness following the introduction of GBCA.

Some patients reported a persistent presence of gadolinium in the body, as evidenced by persistently elevated levels in the urine. They all experience a variety of symptoms, including pain in the torso and limbs, where skin thickening and discoloration have also been observed.

These physical features are similar to, but less severe than, those reported with NSF. Our preliminary investigation has convinced us that this phenomenon is a true disease, which we propose to call "gadolinium deposition disease."

The researchers further note other common signs and symptoms of “gadolinium deposition disease,” such as persistent headache, pain in the bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments (often described as a sharp tingling, stinging, or burning sensation), tightness in the hands and feet, brain fog, and soft tissue thickening that “clinically appears somewhat spongy or rubbery without the hardness and redness seen in NSF.”

The Norrises claim they spent almost $2 million to restore Gena's health, and it did little to help. Even chelation therapy has had limited success.

Heavy metal toxicity is a common danger of our time

Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment from industrial, agricultural, medical and technical pollution. Heavy metal toxicity has a documented potential for serious health effects, including damage to the kidneys, nerves, cardiovascular, skeletal and endocrine systems.

The heavy metals most commonly associated with poisoning are arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium, which are also the most commonly found in environmental pollution. Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning vary depending on the organ systems affected.

Scientists have found that heavy metals also increase oxidative stress secondary to the formation of free radicals. Heavy metal toxicity testing involves testing blood, urine, hair, and nails for cumulative exposure. Detoxification can be difficult and must be done with proper care.

Carefully consider the need for contrast MRI

The bottom line is to avoid using MRI scans with contrast unless absolutely necessary. Often, doctors order these tests only to protect themselves from a legal point of view.

If this is your case, simply skip the contrast test. If necessary, consult with other doctors who can give you different advice.

This is especially important if you have a condition such as MS, which requires multiple MRI scans. Also remember that multiple MRIs with contrast will be especially dangerous if they are performed close in time.

If you need an MRI, don't be afraid to look for a cheaper option

While I always recommend caution when using medical diagnostic procedures, there are times when it is appropriate and beneficial to perform a particular test.

What many people don't realize is that fees for procedures can vary greatly depending on where they are performed. Hospitals tend to be the most expensive option for diagnostics and outpatient procedures, sometimes by a huge margin.

Freestanding diagnostic centers provide alternative locations for receiving services such as lab tests, X-rays and MRIs, often at a fraction of the cost charged by hospitals. Private imaging centers are not affiliated with any specific hospital and are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours, unlike hospital radiology centers, which require 24-hour staffing.

Hospitals often charge higher fees for their services to offset the costs of operating around the clock. Hospitals may also charge exorbitant fees for high-tech diagnostics such as MRIs to subsidize other poorly paid services. In addition, hospitals are allowed to charge Medicare and other third-party insurers “fees for service,” leading to even greater price inflation.

So if you find that you need an MRI, don't be afraid to look for a cheaper option. With a few phone calls to diagnostic centers in your area, you can save up to 85% of what a hospital would charge for the same service.

Source: https://medalternativa.info/entry/tyazhelye-metalli-mrt/

The hardest metals in the world

There are many metals in the world that are identical in terms of hardness, but not all of them are widely used in industry. There may be several reasons for this: rarity and therefore high cost, or radioactivity, which prevents use for human needs. Among the hardest metals, there are 6 leaders that have conquered the world with their features.

The hardness of metals is usually measured using the Mohs scale. The hardness measurement method is based on assessing the scratch resistance of other metals. Thus, it was determined that uranium and tungsten have the highest hardness. However, there are metals that are more used in different areas of life, although their hardness is not the highest on the Mohs scale. Therefore, when discussing the topic of the hardest metals, it would be wrong not to mention the well-known titanium, chromium, osmium and iridium.

Titanium

When asked what the hardest metal is, any person studying chemistry and physics at school will answer: “Titanium.” Of course, there are alloys and even pure nuggets that surpass it in strength. But among those used in everyday life and production, titanium has no equal.

Pure titanium was first obtained in 1925 and was then declared the hardest metal on Earth. It immediately began to be actively used in completely different areas of production - from rocket parts and air transport to dental implants.

The popularity of the metal is due to several of its main properties: high mechanical strength, resistance to corrosion and high temperatures, and low density. On the Mohs scale of metal hardness, titanium has a degree of 4.5, which is not the highest level.

However, its popularity and use in various industries makes it first in hardness among the commonly used ones.

Titanium is the hardest metal commonly used in manufacturing.

More details about the use of titanium in industry. This metal has a wide range of uses:

Aviation industry - aircraft airframe parts, gas turbines, skins, power elements, landing gear parts, rivets, etc.;
Space technology – casings, parts;
Shipbuilding - ship hulls, parts of pumps and pipelines, navigation instruments, turbine engines, steam boilers;
Mechanical engineering – turbine condensers, pipes, wear-resistant elements;
Oil and gas industry – drilling pipes, pumps, high pressure vessels;
Automotive industry - in the mechanisms of valves and exhaust systems, transmission shafts, bolts, springs;
Construction – external and internal cladding of buildings, roofing materials, light fastening devices and even monuments;
Medicine – surgical instruments, prostheses, implants, housings for cardiac devices;
Sports – sports equipment, travel accessories, bicycle parts.
Consumer goods - jewelry, decorative items, garden tools, wristwatches, kitchen utensils, electronics cases and even bells - are also added to paints, whitewash, plastics and paper.

You can see that titanium is in demand in completely different areas of industry due to its physical and chemical properties. Although it is not the hardest metal in the world on the Mohs scale, products made from it are much stronger and lighter than steel, wear less and are more resistant to irritants.

Titanium is considered the hardest among actively consumed metals

Chromium

The hardest metal in its natural form is considered to be a bluish-white color - chromium. It was discovered at the end of the 18th century and has been widely used in production since then. On the Mohs scale, the hardness of chromium is 5. And for good reason - it can cut glass, and when combined with iron, it can even cut metal.

Chromium is also actively used in metallurgy - it is added to steel to improve its physical properties. The range of uses of chromium is very diverse.

Firearms barrels, medical and chemical technological equipment, household items - kitchen utensils, metal parts of furniture and even submarine hulls are made from it.

The highest hardness in its pure form is chromium.

Chromium is used in various fields, for example, for the production of stainless steel, or for coating surfaces - chrome plating (equipment, cars, parts, dishes). This metal is often used in the manufacture of firearm barrels.

This metal can also often be found in the production of dyes and pigments.

Another area of its use may seem surprising - the production of dietary supplements, and in the creation of technological equipment for chemical and medical laboratories, chromium cannot be avoided.

Osmium and iridium

Osmium and iridium are representatives of the platinum group metals and have almost the same density. In their pure form they are incredibly rare in nature, and most often they are alloyed with each other. Iridium by its nature has high hardness, which is why it is difficult to work with metal, both mechanical and chemical.

Osmium and iridium have the highest density

Iridium began to be actively used in industry relatively recently. Previously, it was used with caution, since its physicochemical characteristics were not fully understood.

Iridium is now even used in jewelry (as inlays or alloyed with platinum), surgical instruments, and parts for cardiac stimulators.

In medicine, the metal is simply irreplaceable: its biological products can help fight cancer, and irradiation with a radioactive isotope can stop the growth of cancer cells.

Two-thirds of the iridium mined in the world goes into the chemical industry, and the rest is distributed among other industries - sputtering in the metallurgical industry, consumer goods (elements of fountain pens, jewelry), medicine in the production of electrodes, elements of pacemakers and surgical instruments, as well as for improving the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of metals.

The hardness of iridium on the Moss scale is 5

Osmium is a silvery-white metal with a bluish tint. It was discovered a year later than iridium, and now it is often found in iron meteorites. In addition to its high hardness, osmium is distinguished by its high cost - 1 gram of pure metal is estimated at 10 thousand dollars. Another feature of it is its weight - 1 liter of molten osmium is equal to 10 liters of water. However, scientists have not yet found a use for this property.

Because of its rarity and high cost, osmium is used only where no other metal can be used. It has never been widely used, and there is no point in searching until supplies of the metal become regular. Osmium is now used to make instruments that require high precision. Products made from it hardly wear out and have significant strength.

Osmium hardness index reaches 5.5

Uranus

One of the most famous elements, which is one of the hardest metals in the world, is uranium. It is a light gray metal with weak radioactivity. Uranium is considered one of the heaviest metals - its specific gravity is 19 times that of water. It also has relative ductility, malleability and flexibility, and paramagnetic properties. On the Moss scale, the hardness of the metal is 6, which is considered very high.

Previously, uranium was almost never used, but was found only as ore waste during the extraction of other metals - radium and vanadium. Today, uranium is mined in deposits, the main sources being the US Rocky Mountains, the Republic of Congo, Canada and the Union of South Africa.

Despite its radioactivity, uranium is actively consumed by humanity. It is most in demand in nuclear energy - it is used as fuel for nuclear reactors. Uranium is also used in the chemical industry and in geology to determine the age of rocks.

Military engineering also did not miss the incredible specific gravity indicators. Uranium is regularly used to create the cores of armor-piercing projectiles, which, due to their high strength, do an excellent job of the task.

Uranium is the hardest metal, but it is radioactive

Tungsten

Topping off our list of the hardest metals on Earth is the brilliant silver-gray tungsten. On the Mohs scale, tungsten has a hardness of 6, like uranium, but, unlike the latter, it is not radioactive.

Its natural hardness, however, does not deprive it of its flexibility, which is why tungsten is ideal for forging various metal products, and its resistance to high temperatures allows it to be used in lighting devices and electronics.

Tungsten consumption does not reach high levels, and the main reason for this is its limited amount in deposits.

Due to its high density, tungsten is widely used in the weapons industry for the production of heavyweights and artillery shells. In general, tungsten is actively used in military engineering - bullets, counterweights, ballistic missiles.

The next most popular use of this metal is aviation. Engines and parts of electric vacuum devices are made from it. Tungsten cutting tools are used in construction.

It is also an indispensable element in the production of varnishes and light-resistant paints, fire-resistant and waterproof fabrics.

Tungsten is considered the most refractory and durable

Having studied the properties and areas of consumption of each metal, it is difficult to say unambiguously which is the hardest metal in the world, if we take into account not only the Mohs scale indicators. Each of the representatives has a number of advantages.

For example, titanium, which does not have ultra-high hardness, has firmly taken first place among the most used metals. But uranium, the hardness of which reaches the highest level among metals, is not so popular due to its weak radioactivity.

But tungsten, which does not emit radiation and has the highest strength and very good flexibility, cannot be actively used due to limited resources.

Source: https://megatopof.ru/priroda/tverdyy-metall.html

10 heaviest metals in the world by density

Most of the heaviest metals are rare and extremely valuable. Many achievements of modern technology and medicine would simply be impossible if they did not exist.

Most of these metals are not widely used in everyday life (at best, platinum and gold come to mind here). Therefore, the significance of many of them for civilization can only be assessed by specialists. At the same time, the history of the discovery of some is interesting in itself.

We present to you a ranking of the world's densest metals.

List

10. Tantalum - 16.67 g/cm³
9. Uranium - 19.05 g/cm³
8. Tungsten - 19.29 g/cm³
7. Gold - 19.29 g/cm³
6. Plutonium - 19.80 g/cm³
5. Neptunium - 20.47 g/cm³
4. Rhenium - 21.01 g/cm³
3. Platinum - 21.40 g/cm³
2. Osmium - 22.61 g/cm³
1. Iridium - 22.65 g/cm³

10. Tantalum - 16.67 g/cm³

Extremely refractory (melting point 3017 °C), tantalum successfully replaces platinum in many cases.

It is used in jewelry - watch cases, bracelets and other jewelry are made from it. This is facilitated by the high hardness of the metal. In addition, it is cheaper than platinum, although more expensive than silver.

Its compounds replace platinum as catalysts in the chemical industry. In glassmaking, the addition of this metal to the melt makes it possible to obtain glasses used for the production of small binoculars and lightweight glasses. And tantalum is absolutely irreplaceable in the production of radio electronics.

9. Uranium - 19.05 g/cm³

The name of the planet of the solar system came from the name of this element, and not vice versa, as many believe.

It is a very heavy, flexible and malleable metal. Capable of self-ignition. There is a lot of it both in the earth's crust and in sea water.

Thanks to uranium, invisible rays were accidentally discovered at the end of the 19th century (today the phenomenon of the emission of invisible rays by some natural substances is called radioactivity).

Natural uranium oxides have been used since ancient times in the manufacture of glazes for ceramic products. Nowadays, compounds of this metal are also used to create yellow paint.

8. Tungsten - 19.29 g/cm³

Absolute champion in refractoriness. It boils at a temperature of 5555 °C (the same in the photosphere of the Sun).

The word tungsten means “devouring tin like a wolf devouring a sheep.” This name did not appear by chance. Tungsten, being among the tin ores, interfered with the smelting of tin.

Used to create wedding rings. Its strength symbolizes the stability of personal relationships. In addition, polished tungsten cannot be scratched by anything.

It is used in the production of filaments in various lighting devices.

7. Gold - 19.29 g/cm³

There is very little gold in the ground, although there are many deposits rich in it. There is even a little gold in water - in every cubic meter there is at least five micrograms of gold.

Under normal conditions, it does not oxidize and does not interact with most acids, therefore it is considered a noble metal.

Gold easily transmits heat and electricity, making it indispensable in radio electronics.

6. Plutonium - 19.80 g/cm³

The first artificial chemical element, whose production began on an industrial scale almost immediately after its discovery.

Named after Pluto, which was “demoted” in 2006, deprived of its planetary status.

Interest in plutonium was initially driven by its military applications. High density and abnormally high compressibility made it possible to produce compact, powerful and structurally simple atomic charges.

All isotopes of plutonium are radioactive. The “reactor” isotope of plutonium makes it possible to create long-lived maintenance-free (up to a hundred years of operation) energy sources.

5. Neptunium - 20.47 g/cm³

It was obtained artificially from uranium through nuclear reactions. It is interesting that it was named not in honor of the ancient Greek deity Neptune, but indirectly - due to its practical invisibility in nature in honor of the planet Neptune, which itself was named in honor of the deity, but for a long time was not amenable to observation by astronomers.

This metal has no independent value, but in the radiochemical industry it is a “step” from uranium to the production of the next important radiomaterial - plutonium.

4. Rhenium - 21.01 g/cm³

Named after the Rhine River, the site of its discovery.

Very rare, the only economically viable rhenium deposit is located in Russia.

Refractoriness, chemical neutrality and good ductility allow this metal to be used to create medical instruments.

Heat-resistant alloys of rhenium with other metals are used in the production of jet engines. Thus, rhenium is of great military and strategic importance.

3. Platinum - 21.40 g/cm³

The name platinum was invented by the conquistadors. Literally from Spanish it means “silver”. This disparaging name is explained by the special refractoriness of the metal. For many years they did not know how to use it; then platinum cost half as much as silver.

Nowadays it is valued much more than even gold. Extreme refractoriness, chemical inertness and excellent properties as a catalyst for chemical reactions make it indispensable in industry. At the same time, high cost and good strength open up ways for use in jewelry.

2. Osmium - 22.61 g/cm³

The name comes from the Greek “smell”, as some chemical reactions with osmium lead to the release of a compound with a very persistent bad “aroma”.

In chemistry and industry it is used as a catalyst. Strength and chemical neutrality make the metal indispensable in the production of medical implants.

1. Iridium - 22.65 g/cm³

Iridium salts come in a variety of colors. The name of the metal comes from Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow.

There is forty times less iridium in the earth's crust than gold. In meteorite matter its content is much higher than on Earth.

By combining iridium with platinum, an alloy that is extremely strong and chemically resistant can be obtained.

Iridium is an excellent catalyst, but due to the metal's rarity and high price, its use is limited. However, car owners are familiar with iridium spark plugs - they use the refractoriness and catalytic properties of a thin coating of iridium.

Source: https://top10a.ru/10-samyx-tyazhelyx-metallov-v-mire-po-plotnosti.html

The heaviest metal

Currently, 126 chemical elements are already known. But the heaviest among them are considered to be Osmium (Os) and Iridium (Ir). Both of these elements are transition metals and belong to the platinum group. Their serial numbers in the Periodic System of I.P.

Mendeleev 76 and 77 respectively. Being very hard, both metals can be compared in density. This is due to the fact that the density values were derived purely theoretically (22.562 g/cm³ (Ir) and 22.587 g/cm³ (Os)).

And with such calculations there is always an error (± 0.009 g/cm³ for both calculations).

History of discovery

The discovery of these elements is associated with the name of the English scientist S. Tennant. In 1803 he studied the properties of platinum. And when this metal reacted with a mixture of acids (“aqua regia”), an insoluble precipitate consisting of impurities was isolated. Studying this substance, S.

Tennant isolated new elements, which he named iridium and osmium.
The element received the name “iridium” (“rainbow”) because its salts came in a variety of colors. And “osmium” (“smell”) was so named due to the sharp smell of osmium oxide OsO4, close to ozone.

Properties

Both osmium and iridium are practically unprocessable. They have a very high melting point. In compact form, they do not react with active media such as acids, alkalis or mixtures of acids. These properties are observed in osmium at temperatures up to 100°C, and in iridium at temperatures up to 400°C.

Spreading

The most commonly mined form of these elements is iridium osmide. This alloy is mainly found in natural platinum and gold mining areas. Another place where iridium and osmium are often found is in iron meteorites. Osmium without iridium is practically never found in nature. Whereas iridium is found in combinations with other metals.

For example, in compounds with ruthenium or rhodium. However, iridium remains one of the most uncommon chemical elements on our planet. Its industrial production in the world does not exceed 3 tons per year.

At the moment, the regions that are the main sources of iridium and osmium production are California, Alaska (USA), Siberia (Russia), Bushveld (South Africa), Australia, New Guinea, Canada.

the heaviest metals

More interesting records:

Source: http://samoe1.ru/samyj-tyazhelyj-metall.html

Physics at every step | Page 2 | Online library

Rice. 4. An easy way to determine the volume of a figurine

Thus, without damaging the figurine, we learned not only that the figurine contains a cavity or several cavities inside itself, but we even determined the volume of these voids - about 25 cm3.

Which metal is the heaviest?

In everyday life, lead is considered a heavy metal. It is heavier than zinc, tin, iron, copper, but still it cannot be called the heaviest metal. Mercury, a liquid metal, heavier than lead; If you throw a piece of lead into mercury, it will not sink in it, but will float on the surface. You can hardly lift a liter bottle of mercury with one hand: it weighs almost 14 kg. However, mercury is not the heaviest metal: gold and platinum are one and a half times heavier than mercury.

The record for heaviness is broken by rare metals - iridium and osmium: they are almost three times heavier than iron and more than a hundred times heavier than cork; it would take 110 ordinary plugs to balance one iridium or osmium plug of the same dimensions.

For reference, here is the specific gravity of some metals:

Which metal is the lightest?

Technicians call “light” all those metals that are two or more times lighter than iron. The most common light metal used in technology is aluminum, which is three times lighter than iron. Magnesium metal is even lighter: it is 1 1/2 times lighter than aluminum.

Recently, technology has begun to use an alloy of aluminum and magnesium, known as “electron,” for products. This alloy, which is as strong as steel, is four times lighter. The lightest of all metals, lithium, is not yet used in technology.

Lithium is no heavier than spruce wood; thrown into the water, it does not drown.

If we compare the heaviest and lightest metals - iridium and lithium, it turns out that the first weighs more than 40 times more than the second.

Here are the specific gravities of some light metals:

Two harrows

Weight and pressure are often confused. However, this is not the same thing at all. A thing can have considerable weight and yet exert negligible pressure on its support. On the contrary, another thing with low weight produces a lot of pressure on the support. From the following example, you can understand the difference between weight and pressure, and at the same time you will understand how to calculate the pressure exerted by an object on its support.

There are two harrows of the same design working in the field - one with 20 teeth, the other with 60. The first weighs 60 kg together with the load, the second - 120 kg. Which harrow works deeper?

It is easy to understand that the teeth of the harrow that are pressed with greater force should penetrate deeper into the ground. In the first harrow, the total load of 60 kg is distributed over 20 teeth; therefore, each tooth carries a load of 3 kg. In the second harrow, each tooth accounts for only 120/60, i.e. 2 kg. This means that although the second harrow is generally heavier than the first, its teeth should go deeper into the soil. The pressure on each tooth of the first harrow is greater than that of the second.

Sauerkraut

Let's look at another pressure calculation.

Two tubs of sauerkraut are covered with wooden circles with stones lying on top of the cabbage. In one tub, the circle has a diameter of 24 cm and is loaded with 10 kg; in another, the diameter of the circle is 32 cm, and the load is 16 kg. In which tub is the cabbage under greater pressure?

The pressure is obviously greater in the tub where there is a larger load per square centimeter. In the first tub, a load of 10 kg is distributed over an area of 3.14 × 10000 × 12 × 12 = 452 cm, and, therefore, per 1 cm2 there are 10,000/452, i.e. about 22 g. In the second tub, the pressure is 1 cm2 is 16000/804, i.e. less than 20 g. Consequently, in the first tub the cabbage is more compressed.

Pressure must be distinguished from pressure force. Pressure is the force with which the body presses on one square centimeter of support. In the example with cabbage, the pressure force of the stones is 10 kg and 16 kg, while the pressure is 22 g/cm2 and 20 g/cm2. Knowing this, you will be able to independently perform calculations related to pressure.

Tractor and horse

A heavy caterpillar tractor holds up well on such loose soil, in which the legs of horses and even much lighter people get stuck (Fig. 5).

How can we explain this?

Rice. 5. Why doesn’t a crawler tractor sink where a horse gets stuck?

After what was said earlier, you will easily understand this. Getting stuck in the ground does not depend on the weight of the thing, but on its pressure, on the proportion of the weight that falls on a square centimeter of support. The huge weight of the tractor is distributed over a fairly large surface of its “caterpillars” mounted on wheels.

Therefore, per square centimeter of the tractor support there is a relatively small weight - about a hundred grams, no more. On the contrary, the weight of a horse and a person is distributed over a small area of the hooves or feet, so that per square centimeter of them there is about 1,200 g for a horse, and 500 g for a person, i.e. much more than for a tractor.

Even a heavy military tank presses a square centimeter with a force only slightly greater than that of a man: about 600 grams.

It is not surprising that a man and a horse are pressed deeper into the soil than a crawler tractor.

For the same reason, a person going on skis does not fall through on loose snow, although without skis he cannot stay on the same snow.

Awl and chisel

Why does the awl penetrate deeper than the chisel when the pressure is equal on both tools?

The reason is the difference in pressure. When pressure is applied to the awl, all the force is concentrated on a very small space at its tip. When pressing on a blunt chisel, the same force is distributed over a much larger surface.

Let, for example, let the awl come into contact with the material over a surface area of 1 mm2, and the chisel over a space of 1 cm2. If the pressure on each tool is 1 kg, then under the chisel blade the material experiences a pressure of 1 kg per 1 cm2, and under the awl - 1: 0.01 = 100, i.e. 100 kg per 1 cm2 (because 1 mm2 = 0.01 cm2).

And if the pressure under the awl is a hundred times stronger than under the chisel, then it is clear why the awl will penetrate deeper than the chisel.

You will now understand that by pressing your finger on the needle while sewing, you produce very high pressure, no less than the steam pressure in another steam boiler. This is also the secret of the cutting action of the razor: a light pressure of the hand creates a pressure of hundreds of kilograms per cm2 on the thin edge of the razor - and the hair is cut off.

Source: http://litrus.net/book/read/170116?p=2

Top 10 strongest metals in the world

Metals began to be used in everyday life in ancient times. Copper was the first element that man began to use, since it was easy to find in nature and easy to process. It is no coincidence that archaeologists have found numerous objects made of copper.

In the course of their development, people learned to make alloys from which tools and then weapons were made. Nowadays, research is being carried out to identify the strongest metals. Let's learn more about the properties and uses of the ten strongest metals in the world.

10. Titan

It is called the metal of the future, since its final place in people's lives has not yet been determined. The man quickly appreciated his best qualities. Titanium is light and high-strength, resistant to high temperatures, has low density, and is resistant to corrosion. Areas of application: aviation technology and rocket industry, shipbuilding. Titanium alloys have great application prospects, but are hampered by their high cost and lack of widespread use.

9. Uranus

The most common metal, it is highly durable and weakly radioactive under normal conditions. The discovery of uranium by scientists is considered a discovery on a planetary scale. It is endowed with paramagnetic properties, flexible, malleable and relatively plastic, thanks to these qualities it has found application in a variety of industrial fields: it is the basis for nuclear weapons, uranium compounds are used in the production of glass, as dyes.

8. Tungsten

It is characterized by high refractoriness and also belongs to the strongest metals on planet Earth. Being a solid element of white-gray color with a characteristic shine, tungsten is high-strength, refractory, and resistant to acidic and alkaline environments. Endowed with malleability, as temperatures rise, W self-heats and also stretches into a thin thread used in lamps.

7. Rhenium

Paramagnetic rhenium, one of the “heavier” elements of high density (21.03 g/cm3). On earth, RE exists in its pure form; the content as an impurity in molybdenite is especially significant, up to 0.5%.

The pronounced properties of RE are considered to be the highest strength, heat resistance, characterized by refractoriness, oxidation resistance, ductility, and low corrosion when exposed to many chemicals. Rhenium is an expensive metal.

The areas of application are diverse: electronics, rocket science, aircraft manufacturing (for example, the production of spare parts for supersonic fighters), metallurgy, medicine, shipbuilding.

6. Osmium

The metal is silvery-light in color, shimmering blue. Part of the platinum group, it is considered one of the denser elements. Characterized by hardness.

Os is a brittle metal, but it is characterized by resistance to mechanical stress and the influence of an acidic environment. Scientists have documented the presence of osmium in metal meteorites.

Forming an ideal composition with other elements, it is widely used in medicine, electronics, chemistry and petrochemistry, rocket science, and is widely used in the production of pens.

5. Beryllium

The metal is gray in color with a silvery tint, acquiring a matte tint when in contact with air due to the formation of an oxide film. The metal is characterized by hardness and is highly toxic. Unlike other metals, it conducts heat well and is characterized by low electrical resistance.

Possessing unique properties, Be is used in aerospace, rocketry, nuclear energy, the metallurgical industry, nuclear energy, and laser technology.

Given the high hardness of Be, it is used to produce alloying alloys, materials distinguished by their fire-resistant qualities.

4. Chrome

Chrome is a blue-white metal. It is characterized by high strength, hardness, pronounced magnetic properties, is not subject to hydrogen embrittlement, and is resistant to acidic and alkaline environments. It is used to create various alloys, which in turn are in demand for the manufacture of medical equipment. In addition, Cr is used in the synthesis of artificial rubies; chromium salts are used to preserve wood and tan leather.

3. Tantalum

Tantalum is one of the three strongest elements on earth. It is characterized by a gray-metallic color with a silvery sheen, high hardness and atomic density. The oxide film that forms on top gives it a leaden tint.

Despite its high hardness and strength, this metal is characterized by ductility, and in this quality it is comparable to gold. The metal is refractory, resistant to corrosion and oxidation.

It has found active use in metallurgy, construction of power plants, and the chemical industry.

2. Ruthenium

The name of the second most durable metal in the ancient language means Russia. The metal has a silvery color, belongs to the platinoids, and is found in the muscle tissues of all creatures living on earth. A high-strength metal, hard, refractory, resistant to chemicals, and capable of forming complex compounds. Ruthenium is used in the space industry, medicine, electronics, and as an additive that gives gold its black color.

1. Iridium

Iridium is considered the leader among all metals with high strength. The hard and refractory gray-white element belongs to the platinum group. Today it is almost never found on the surface of the Earth, but is often found in compounds with osmium.

Due to its hardness, the impact on metal is difficult, and therefore processing is resistant to chemicals. Its significance in everyday life is very great. Iridium is used to give metals such as titanium, chromium and tungsten better resistance to acidic and alkaline environments.

It is used for the manufacture of thermocouples, fuel tanks, thermoelectric generators, in medicine, and is widely used for alloys with platinum among jewelers.

Source: https://toptimes.ru/top-10-samyh-prochnyh-metallov-v-mire/

The hardest steel in the world

Do you know which material on our planet is considered the strongest? We all know from school that diamond is the strongest mineral, but it is far from the strongest. Hardness is not the main property that characterizes matter. Some properties may prevent scratches, while others may promote elasticity. Want to know more? Here is a rating of materials that will be very difficult to destroy.

Diamond

Diamond in all its glory

A classic example of strength, stuck in textbooks and heads. Its hardness means it is scratch resistant. On the Mohs scale (a qualitative scale that measures the resistance of various minerals), diamond scores at 10 (the scale goes from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest substance). Diamond is so hard that other diamonds must be used to cut it.

Darwin's spider silk

A web that can stop an airbus

Often cited as the world's most complex biological substance (though this claim is now disputed by its inventors), Darwin's web is stronger than steel and has greater stiffness than Kevlar. Its weight is no less remarkable: a thread long enough to encircle the Earth weighs only 0.5 kg.

Aerographite

Aerographite in a regular package

This synthetic foam is one of the lightest building materials in the world. Aerographite is about 75 times lighter than polystyrene foam (but much stronger!). This material can be compressed to 30 times its original size without damaging its structure. Another interesting point: aerographite can support 40,000 times its own weight.

Palladium micro-doped glass

Glass during a crash test

This substance was developed by scientists in California. Microalloy glass has an almost perfect combination of rigidity and strength. The reason for this is that its chemical structure reduces the brittleness of glass, but retains the rigidity of palladium.

Wolfram carbide

Tungsten drill

Tungsten carbide is incredibly hard and has qualitatively high rigidity, but it is quite brittle and can be bent easily.

Silicon carbide

Silicon carbide in the form of crystals

This material is used to create armor for battle tanks. In fact, it is used in almost anything that can protect against bullets. It has a Mohs hardness rating of 9 and also has low thermal expansion.

Cubic boron nitride

Molecular structure of boron nitride

About as strong as diamond, cubic boron nitride has one important advantage: it is insoluble in nickel and iron at high temperatures. For this reason, it can be used to process these elements (diamond forms of nitrides with iron and nickel at high temperatures).

Dyneema

Dyneema cable

Considered the strongest fiber in the world. You might be surprised by this fact: Dainima is lighter than water, but it can stop bullets!

Titanium alloys

Alloy tube

Titanium alloys are extremely flexible and have very high tensile strength, but do not have the same rigidity as steel alloys.

Amorphous alloys

Amorphous metals change shape easily

Liquidmetal was developed by Caltech. Despite the name, this metal is not liquid and at room temperature has a high level of strength and wear resistance. When heated, amorphous alloys can change shape.

Nanocellulose

Future paper could be harder than diamonds

This latest invention is created from wood pulp, while having a greater degree of strength than steel! And much cheaper. Many scientists consider nanocellulose to be a cheap alternative to palladium glass and carbon fiber.

Shellfish teeth

saucer shell

We mentioned earlier that Darwin's spiders spin threads of some of the strongest organic material on Earth. Nevertheless, the limpet's teeth turned out to be even stronger than the webs. Limpet teeth are extremely tough.

The reason for these amazing characteristics is the purpose: collecting algae from the surface of rocks and corals.

Scientists believe that in the future we could copy the fibrous structure of limpet teeth and use it in the automobile industry, ships and even the aviation industry.

Maraging steels

A rocket stage in which many components contain maraging steels

This substance combines a high level of strength and rigidity without loss of elasticity. Steel alloys of this type are used in aerospace and industrial manufacturing technologies.

Osmium

Osmium crystal

Osmium is extremely dense. It is used in the manufacture of things that require a high level of strength and hardness (electrical contacts, tip handles, etc.).

Kevlar

Kevlar helmet stopped a bullet

Used in everything from drums to bulletproof vests, Kevlar is synonymous with toughness. Kevlar is a type of plastic that has extremely high tensile strength. In fact, it is about 8 times larger than steel wire! It can also withstand temperatures around 450℃.

Spectra

Spectra pipes

High performance polyethylene is a truly durable plastic. This lightweight, strong thread can withstand incredible tension and is ten times stronger than steel. Similar to Kevlar, Spectra is also used for ballistic resistant vests, helmets and armored vehicles.

Graphene

Flexible graphene screen

A sheet of graphene (an allotrope of carbon) one atom thick is 200 times stronger than steel. Although graphene looks like cellophane, it is truly amazing. It would take a school bus balancing on a pencil to pierce a standard A1 sheet of this material!

Buckypaper

New technology that could revolutionize our understanding of strength

This nanotechnology is made from carbon tubes that are 50,000 times thinner than human hair. This explains why it is 10 times lighter than steel but 500 times stronger.

Metal microgrid

microlattice alloys are regularly used in satellites

The world's lightest metal, metal microlattice is also one of the lightest structural materials on Earth.

Some scientists claim that it is 100 times lighter than polystyrene foam! A porous but extremely strong material, it is used in many fields of technology.

Boeing has mentioned using it in aircraft, mainly in floors, seats and walls.

Carbon nanotubes

Nanotube model

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be described as “seamless cylindrical hollow fibers” that consist of a single rolled molecular sheet of pure graphite. The result is a very light material. At the nanoscale, carbon nanotubes have 200 times the strength of steel.

Airbrush

Fantastic airbrush is hard to even describe!

Also known as graphene airgel. Imagine the strength of graphene combined with unimaginable lightness. Airgel is 7 times lighter than air! This incredible material can fully recover from over 90% compression and can absorb up to 900 times its weight in oil. It is hoped that this material can be used to clean up oil spills.

Unnamed substance under development at MIT

Massachusetts Polytechnic Main Building

At the time of this writing, scientists at MIT believe they have discovered the secret to maximizing the 2D strength of graphene in 3D. Their as-yet unnamed substance may have about 5% the density of steel, but 10 times the strength.

Carbin

Molecular structure of carbyne

Despite being a single chain of atoms, carbyne has twice the tensile strength of graphene and three times the stiffness of diamond.

Wurtzite boron nitride

birthplace of boron nitride

This natural substance is produced in the craters of active volcanoes and is 18% stronger than diamond. It is one of two naturally occurring substances currently found to be harder than diamonds. The problem is that there is not much of this substance, and now it is difficult to say for sure whether this statement is 100% true.

Lonsdaleite

Meteorites are the main sources of lonsdaleite

Also known as hexagonal diamond, this substance is made up of carbon atoms, but they are simply arranged differently.

Along with wurtzite boron nitride, it is one of two natural substances harder than diamond. In fact, Lonsdaleite is 58% harder! However, as with the previous substance, it is found in relatively small volumes.

Sometimes it occurs when graphite meteorites collide with planet Earth.

The future is just around the corner, so by the end of the 21st century we can expect the emergence of ultra-strong and ultra-light materials that will replace Kevlar and diamonds. In the meantime, one can only be amazed at the development of modern technologies.

Nikita Linnik

Source: https://steelfactoryrus.com/samaya-tverdaya-stal-v-mire/

The most durable and strong metal in the world, the lightest metals on earth - Facts

The use of metals in everyday life began at the dawn of human development, and the first metal was copper, since it is available in nature and can be easily processed.

It is not without reason that archaeologists during excavations find various products and household utensils made of this metal. In the process of evolution, people gradually learned to combine various metals, obtaining increasingly durable alloys suitable for making tools, and later weapons.

Nowadays, 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.

Titanium is used in the military industry, aviation medicine, shipbuilding, and other areas of production.

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, widely distributed everywhere and has paramagnetic properties, flexibility, malleability, and relative ductility. Uranium is used in many areas of production.

Known as the most refractory metal in existence, it is one of the strongest metals in the world. It is a solid transitional element of a shiny silver-gray color.

It has high strength, excellent refractoriness, and resistance to chemical influences. Due to its properties, it can be forged and drawn into a thin thread.

Known as tungsten filament.

Among the representatives of this group, it is considered a high-density transition metal with a silvery-white color. It occurs in nature in its pure form, but is found in molybdenum and copper raw materials.

It is characterized by high hardness and density, and has excellent refractoriness. It has increased strength, which is not lost due to repeated temperature changes. Rhenium is an expensive metal and has a high cost.

Used in modern technology and electronics.

A shiny silver-white metal with a slightly bluish tint, it belongs to the platinum group and is considered one of the strongest metals in the world. Similar to iridium, it has a high atomic density, high strength and hardness.

Since osmium is a platinum metal, it has properties similar to iridium: refractoriness, hardness, brittleness, resistance to mechanical stress, as well as to the influence of aggressive environments.

It has found wide application in surgery, electron microscopy, the chemical industry, rocketry, and electronic equipment.

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 a wide variety of production areas:

nuclear energy;
aerospace engineering;
metallurgy;
laser technology;
nuclear energy.

Due to its high hardness, beryllium is used in the production of alloying alloys and refractory materials.

Next on the list of the ten strongest metals in the world is chromium - a hard, high-strength metal of a bluish-white color, resistant to alkalis and acids. It occurs 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 and chemical processing equipment. When combined with iron, it forms an alloy called ferrochrome, which is used in the manufacture of metal-cutting tools.

Tantalum deserves bronze in the ranking, as it is one of the strongest 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 leaden tint.

The distinctive properties of tantalum are high strength, refractoriness, resistance to corrosion, and resistance to aggressive environments. The metal is a fairly ductile metal and can be easily machined. Today tantalum is successfully used:

in the chemical industry;
during the construction of nuclear reactors;
in metallurgical production;
when creating heat-resistant alloys.

The second place in the ranking of the most durable metals in the world is occupied by ruthenium, a silvery metal belonging to the platinum group. Its peculiarity is the presence of living organisms in the muscle tissue.

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 and acts as a material for the manufacture of electrodes, contacts, and sharp tips.

The most durable metals in the world are led by iridium - a silver-white, hard and refractory metal that belongs to the platinum group.

In nature, the high-strength element is extremely rare and is often combined with osmium. Due to its natural hardness, it is difficult to machine and is 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, and used in jewelry to create jewelry. The cost of iridium remains high due to its limited presence in nature.

Source: https://science-interest.ru/drugoe/samyj-prochnyj-i-krepkij-metall-v-mire-naibolee-legkie-metally-na-zemle.html

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