10 Strongest Metals in the World: Properties and Usage

Metals are used in a large number of industries. There are many types of metals in the world. They include aluminum, gold, copper, steel, silver, platinum, nickel, lead, zinc, and mercury. All these metals have various properties which make them suitable for different applications.

Some metals can withstand extreme conditions, while others can be found in any home or workplace.

The metals in our world are a key part of running our lives. You probably wouldn’t be reading this if it weren’t for the metals we use daily to run our electronics and appliances.

In this article, you will learn about the strongest metals on earth, including their properties and uses.

Metal Strength Comparison Chart (Tensile Strength and Melting Point)

The table below sets the 10 metals covered on this page side by side by tensile strength, the measure most people mean by "strongest". Tensile strength depends heavily on grade, temper and processing, so each figure names the form it applies to, and the pure metal is kept separate from its engineering alloys wherever the two differ sharply. Melting points repeat the figure given in each metal’s own properties list further down the page; steel is left open because it varies by grade.

The Four Types of Metal Strength

Metal "strength" is not one number. Engineers describe it with four different mechanical properties, and a metal that excels at one can perform poorly at another, which is a large part of why lists of the "strongest" metal often disagree with each other.

• Tensile strength is the maximum stress a metal can withstand while being pulled or stretched before it breaks, usually measured in megapascals (MPa) or pounds per square inch (psi). It is the property the table above compares.
• Yield strength is the stress at which a metal begins to deform permanently and will no longer spring back to its original shape once the load is removed.
• Compressive strength is a metal’s ability to withstand being squeezed or crushed without failing.
• Impact toughness is how much energy a metal can absorb from a sudden blow before it fractures or shatters, rather than bending or deforming. It is measured by a notched-bar impact test such as the Charpy test.

A metal can rank first by one of these measures and fall behind on another. Tungsten, for example, has an extremely high tensile strength but is brittle and can shatter on impact, while titanium trades some raw tensile strength for a much better strength-to-weight ratio. The 10 entries below cover each metal’s properties and the jobs it is actually used for.

What Makes a Metal Strong?

A few material properties are read together to judge how a metal will behave under load, wear and heat. These include:

• Density: This is the measure of how much mass is in a given volume. Density does not make a metal stronger by itself; it is what strength is measured against when metals are compared by strength-to-weight ratio, which is why a lighter metal can outperform a heavier one in a weight-critical part.
• Hardness: This is a measure of how resistant the metal is to scratching, denting, and other forms of damage. A harder metal will be more resistant to damage.
• Young’s modulus: This is a measure of the metal’s stiffness. A higher Young’s modulus means the metal is less likely to deform under stress.
• Melting point: This is the temperature at which the metal will melt. A higher melting point means the metal can withstand higher temperatures before melting.

1. Tungsten

Tungsten is considered one of the strongest metals in the world. It has a very high melting point and is highly resistant to heat and wear. This makes it an ideal material for many industrial and military applications. It is also used in the manufacture of light bulbs and electronic components.

Due to its exceptional strength and heat resistance, tungsten is also an essential material in aerospace engineering, where custom manufacturing for aircraft parts requires materials that can withstand extreme conditions.

Properties of Tungsten:

• High melting point: 3410°C
• Density: 19.3 g/cm³
• Hardness: 8.5 Mohs
• Tensile strength: approximately 345–1,380 MPa (50,000–200,000 psi) in wrought forms, rising to about 3,450 MPa (500,000 psi) in fine drawn wire

2. Chromium

Chromium is a strong, lustrous, and corrosion-resistant metal. It is widely used in the manufacture of stainless steel and in plating and other surface treatments. It is also used in the production of cast iron and superalloys.

Properties of Chromium:

• High melting point: 1907°C
•  Density: 7.19 g/cm³
• Hardness: 8 Mohs
• Tensile strength: not usefully quoted for the pure metal. Chromium is brittle at room temperature and is used as an alloying element in stainless steel and as a plated coating, rather than as a structural metal on its own

3. Titanium

Titanium is another strong metal that is widely used in various industries. It is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an ideal choice for aerospace and military applications. It is also used in the medical field for implants and other devices.

Properties of Titanium:

• Melting point: 1668°C
• Density: 4.506 g/cm³
• Hardness: 6 Mohs
• Tensile strength: approximately 331–662 MPa (48–96 ksi) across the annealed commercially pure grades. The aerospace alloy Ti-6Al-4V reaches about 1,172 MPa (144–170 ksi)

4. Steel

Steel is a popular metal used in a wide range of applications. It is an alloy of iron and carbon, which gives it its strength and durability. There are different types of steel, each with its own set of properties.

Common steel grades vary widely in strength. Carbon steel is the type used in general construction and machinery. Published figures for common plain-carbon grades run from roughly 300 MPa (43,000 psi) for a hot-rolled low-carbon grade such as AISI 1006 up to roughly 814 MPa (118,000 psi) for an as-rolled higher-carbon grade such as AISI 1060. Tool steel is heat-treated to a much harder, wear-resistant surface for cutting tools and dies. Maraging steel is an ultra-high-strength nickel steel that, in its aged, high-performance grades such as grade 300, reaches a tensile strength of roughly 2,030 MPa (about 294,000 psi), among the highest of any commercial steel.

Properties of Steel:

• Density: 7.85 g/cm³
• Hardness: Varies depending on the type of steel
• Tensile strength: varies widely by grade. Roughly 300–814 MPa (43,000–118,000 psi) for common plain-carbon grades, and far higher for heat-treated tool and maraging steels (see above)

5. Aluminum

Aluminum is a soft metal that is widely used in various industries. It is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and for its corrosion resistance. It is also used in the construction of aircraft and spacecraft.

Properties of Aluminum:

• Melting point: 660°C
• Density: 2.7 g/cm³
• Hardness: 2 Mohs
• Tensile strength: approximately 69–290 MPa (10–42 ksi) for annealed wrought aluminum, rising to 152–572 MPa (22–83 ksi) for heat-treated wrought alloys of the kind used in aircraft structures

6. Nickel

Nickel is a strong metal often used in alloys such as stainless steel. It has excellent corrosion resistance and is also resistant to heat. This makes it ideal for use in the chemical industry.

Properties of Nickel

• Melting point: 1453°
• Density: 8.9 g/cm³
• Hardness: 4 Mohs
• Tensile strength: approximately 462 MPa (about 67,000 psi) for commercially pure Nickel 200 in the annealed condition

7. Copper

Copper is a popular metal that has many uses. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, ideal for electrical applications. It is also resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for plumbing and other uses. Copper is more common than silver and gold. It is used to make wires, cables, and telephone poles. It is also used in pipes and plumbing. This metal is also used to make brass, bronze, and brass plating.

Properties of Copper:

• Melting point: 1084°C
• Density: 8.96 g/cm³
• Hardness: 3 Mohs
• Tensile strength: approximately 220–415 MPa (32,000–60,000 psi) for pure copper, from the annealed to the cold-worked condition

8. Gold

Gold is a valuable metal often used in jewelry and other decorative items. It is also an excellent conductor of electricity and does not corrode. This metal is extremely popular among collectors because of its rareness and high value. Gold is used in jewelry and decorative items. It is also used to make coins, medals, and paper money.

Properties of Gold:

• Melting point: 1064°C
• Density: 19.3 g/cm³
• Hardness: 2.5 Mohs
• Tensile strength: not quoted here. Published figures for pure gold vary widely with temper and working, and the sources available to us disagree, so no single value is given rather than print one that may mislead

9. Silver

Silver is another precious metal that has many uses. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, and it does not rust easily. It is also one of the most expensive metals in the world. It is more reactive than platinum and gold. Silver is most commonly found in coins and medals. It is also used to make electrical wiring and many household appliances.

Properties of Silver:

• Melting point: 961°C
• Density: 10.49 g/cm³
• Hardness: 2.5 Mohs
• Tensile strength: not quoted here. Published figures for pure silver vary widely with temper and working, and the sources available to us disagree, so no single value is given rather than print one that may mislead

10. Platinum

Platinum is a valuable metal often used in jewelry, coins, and other decorative items. It is also used in the manufacturing of electronic components and catalytic converters. It is very expensive. It is the second most expensive metal in the world. It is mostly used in jewelry and decorative items. Platinum is more valuable than gold because it is less reactive. This makes it easier to work with, and it is harder to tarnish. Platinum is also used to make coins and medals. It’s also used to make gas-powered engines, especially for cars and airplanes.

Properties of Platinum:

• Melting point: 1768°C
• Density: 21.45 g/cm³
• Hardness: 4 Mohs
• Tensile strength: not quoted here. Published figures for pure platinum vary widely with temper and working, and the sources available to us disagree, so no single value is given rather than print one that may mislead

Some other Metals that are considered as Strongest Include:

Magnesium Alloys

Magnesium is a lightweight metal that is often used in the aerospace industry. It is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion.

Properties of Magnesium

• Melting point: 650°C
• Density: 1.74 g/cm³
• Hardness: 2 Mohs

Iron

Iron is a strong and versatile metal that has been used for centuries. It is most commonly used in the form of steel, which is an alloy of iron and carbon. Steel is widely used in construction, engineering, and manufacturing. Usually, steel makes structural materials such as beams, girders, rebar, steel, and ductile iron pipe. Iron is also used to make railroad tracks.

Properties of Iron:

• High melting point: 1538°C
• Density: 7.87 g/cm³
• Hardness: 4 Mohs

Inconel

Inconel is a superalloy, which means it is composed of multiple different metals for added strength and resistance to heat and corrosion. It is often used in high-temperature applications such as jet engines and rocket motors. Partnering with a China CNC machining parts manufacturer ensures that Inconel components are crafted with the precision and quality required for such demanding environments.

Properties of Inconel:

• Melting point: 1350°C
• Density: 8.4 g/cm³
• Hardness: 7 Mohs
• Young’s modulus: 193 GPa

Palladium

Palladium is a valuable metal often used in jewelry, coins, and other decorative items. It is also used in the manufacturing of electronic components and catalytic converters.

The Rise of Metal Usage

The strength of the different metals used to make these amazing creations varies widely. Some of these metals are naturally strong, but thanks to advancements in technology, others are made stronger by special processes that add weight to the metal. A few of these metals are so strong that they’ve been used to forge entire airplanes, ships, and tanks.

As you can see, there are a variety of metals that are considered to be the strongest in the world. Each metal has unique properties that make it ideal for certain applications. With the continued advancement of technology, we will likely see even more uses for these strong metals in the future.

Read more: Explore Yijin’s metal and material guides