Thread: Metal, how to create stronger metal/material?

This might be the wrong place but how do you create stronger metal (or material)? I have a bunch of steel in my house but their not all of equal strength or even type. How do you make a strong metal like titanium? or the fabled admantium that wolverine has. how to create (from home) a strong material or metal?

Are you really asking how you create adamantium at home? lol

Originally Posted by warownslife

This might be the wrong place but how do you create stronger metal (or material)? I have a bunch of steel in my house but their not all of equal strength or even type.

The strength of steel depends on a number of factors such as what other elements are present in what proportion. Elements used inlcude: carbon (always present), manganese, phosphorus, sulphur, silicon, manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, boron, titanium, vanadium and niobium. Things like crystal structure is important as well, which is how (I think) processes like annealing work.

You need to read up on metallurgy, I guess.

I think some of the strongest and lightest materials are composites rather than solid metals.

How do you make a strong metal like titanium?

Titanium is an element. You don't "make" it.

or the fabled admantium that wolverine has.

You do realise that is fiction, don't you?

first guy- hahaha. no no, just strong metal. Part of me wants to dip into blacksmithing weapons or plates for armor, etc. And I'd prefer stab proof and eventually bullet proof. So, I want to start by learning how to make strong metal.

second guy-

A. i know titanium is an element.

B. yes, i know, it was a joke.

C. what would happen if something was made out of pure carbon?

How do you make a strong metal like titanium?

With titanium.

Originally Posted by warownslife

C. what would happen if something was made out of pure carbon?

It depends:
Graphite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diamond-like carbon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amorphous carbon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Graphene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally Posted by Strange

Originally Posted by warownslife

C. what would happen if something was made out of pure carbon?

It depends:
Graphite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diamond-like carbon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amorphous carbon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Graphene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

thats cool.

It is, isn't it.

Use unobtainium , its cheaper

Originally Posted by fizzlooney

Use unobtainium , its cheaper

But currently out of stock.

Originally Posted by warownslife

or the fabled admantium that wolverine has.

Meh, vibranium is stronger.

On a more serious note, I've noticed a trend moving away from metals for armoring individuals. People are wearing bulletproof fabrics in the field, not the armor suits of medieval knights.

If you're ACTUALLY interested in pursuing the science behind this and not just some teenager who think prepping for the zombie apocalypse is "cool", I would suggest looking into materials science as an advanced education. It's an amazing and growing field.

Originally Posted by warownslife

first guy- hahaha. no no, just strong metal. Part of me wants to dip into blacksmithing weapons or plates for armor, etc. And I'd prefer stab proof and eventually bullet proof. So, I want to start by learning how to make strong metal.

second guy-

A. i know titanium is an element.

B. yes, i know, it was a joke.

C. what would happen if something was made out of pure carbon?

Ever worked with titanium? I have, and it's not a terribly workable metal unless you have some very expensive bits. Anodized titanium will make mince meat out of carbide bits, ceramics will work, but will cost a hefty sum, not including the cost of the titanium itself $20 or more sometimes for just scrap titanium, and the thousands you'll spend on machines. I.E, this isn't going to work. The best you could do is melt down a bunch of aluminum cans into a funny hat and take it to a proper facility to have it anodized.

On that note, by wedding band is titanium. When I bought it, I had to sign a paper saying I acknowledged it was not the seller's fault if got my hand stuck in some kind of machinery and a rescue crew had to remove my finger to free me.

Now THAT'S my kind of wedding ring.

Titanium is not that strong. 6-4 is pretty good, comparable to some high strength steels, but there are much stronger steels and cobalt alloys. Of course if you want specific strength, then it is hard to beat (strength/density), except maybe carbon fiber composite.

Part of the problem is that strength isn't just hardness. There is a point at which increasing hardness makes a metal functionally weaker for many purposes. Swords, for example. We have much harder metals than steel, but the best metal for swords is still various types of steel.

Also, making a slash/bulletproof breastplate isn't that effective. As has been said, fabrics/fibers and also ceramics have more potential. If you want a breastplate for historical recreation or costuming, don't worry about making it bulletproof. What will stop blunt force, a bullet, a slash, and a stab most effectively are different types of weaves, too. An armor that can stop all of that is probably going to be heavier than something you could fight in. But a late medieval breastplate designed to fit you is remarkably easy to maneuver in if you are experienced and reasonably strong. A knight should have been perfectly capable of mounting and dismounting his own horse in his armor no sweat. A lot of people smith their own plate/maile if that is what you are interested in. If you are actually curious about designing new materials, though, yeah that is a big field. Look into it.