6 Strong Materials You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Have you ever stopped to consider what some of the world’s strongest materials are?
There are lists that detail some of the strongest materials known to man. You might be surprised at what you find if you comb over such a list. You might be familiar with some of the materials, while others might surprise you. And you likely have never heard of some of them.
Keep reading to see six strong materials you might never have heard of before.
- Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide is a chemical compound that is known to be extremely hard. This chemical compound, also called carborundum, contains silicon and carbon. A semiconductor, silicon carbide occurs naturally as the mineral moissanite.
Because of its incredibly hard profile, silicon carbide is used to manufacture things like grinding wheels, sandpapers, and cutting equipment. According to one source, silicon carbide has a Mohs hardness of 9.5. That comes in at number two behind only the world’s hardest diamond.
- Spider Silk
Spider silk might not be something you’d expect to find on a list of the world’s strongest materials. But it makes the cut. It’s a silk or protein fiber that spiders spin. While spider silk serves as adhesive traps to capture prey, there are other interesting facts you should know. Spider silk possesses tensile strengths on par with steel. In fact, it has a higher tensile strength than many kinds of steel. According to the National Institutes of Health, some silks are almost as elastic as rubber from a weight-to-weight perspective.
- Graphene
Graphene is a substance extracted from graphite. It’s also composed of pure carbon. It’s known as being a strong, light, and flexible material. Graphene can be used for a wide variety of things because of its positive thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. While lighter than paper, graphene is 200 times stronger than steel. That’s one reason it’s considered the strongest material known to man. Graphene has an extremely high melting point. Its strength is due to its big regular arrangement of carbon atoms. So, it tops the list if you want the strongest material.
- Vectran
Vectran is a high-performance multifilament yarn made from liquid crystal polymer. It’s probably a material you’re not familiar with. In case you weren’t aware, Vectran is, pound for pound, five times stronger than steel. And Vectran, which gets high marks for strength and rigidity, is 10% stronger than aluminum.
It holds up well to flex fatigue, is dimensionally stable, and is resistant to organic and chemical solvents. As for applications, Vectran is used for things like cut-resistant gloves, electronic circuit boards, ropes and cordage, medical devices, cables and umbilicals, sporting goods, and more.
- Diamonds
Diamonds are naturally occurring precious stones — though they can also be created in labs using technology that mimics how they’re formed naturally. They’re highly regarded for being resistant to abrasion and scratching. That’s one reason diamonds are frequently used in cutting equipment and tools — and why they’re popular and highly sought after in the jewelry market.
Diamonds have a unique atomic structure that contributes to their hardness and strength.
- Cupronickel
Cupronickel is another substance known for its strength properties. It offers resistance to corrosion, thermal conductivity, and respectable tensile strength. It’s used for heat exchangers and piping in seawater applications, and it’s also used for the propeller shafts and hulls of high-end boats.
These are some of the strongest materials in the world — though they’re not the only ones. Depending on how much you know about the topic, you may be surprised by some of the entries on this list.
