The Strongest Natural Metal: Tungsten
As far as pure metals go, tungsten has the highest tensile strength, with an ultimate strength of 1510 megapascals. Tungsten also has the honor of having the highest melting point of any unalloyed metal and the second highest melting point in the whole periodic table—only carbon can withstand hotter temperatures. Tungsten is very dense and brittle, making it difficult to work within all but its purest forms. Tungsten is commonly used in electrical and military applications, and you may find tungsten filaments in light bulbs and tungsten coating that adds a real punch to projectiles. It is also a common component in steel and other alloys, where even a small amount can significantly increase the strength of the alloy.
The Strongest Alloy: Steel
Alloys are a constantly changing field, as researchers attempt to create ever-stronger combinations of elements. Generally, the strongest alloy is steel mixed with a few other elements. Vanadium steel alloys seem to be particularly promising, with several companies releasing variants with ultimate strengths of up to 5205 MPa. The steel that holds this distinction is called Micro-Melt® 10 Tough Treated Tool Steel.
The Hardest Metal: Chromium
The 'hardness' of a mineral is generally determined by the Mohs scale and is defined as the scratch resistance of a mineral. Diamonds are the hardest minerals known to man, but what is the hardest metal? That honor goes to chromium, a metal perhaps best known as the key ingredient in stainless steel. Chromium is also commonly used in chrome plating, which acts as a form of protection against corrosion and physical damage.
The Most Useful Strong Metal: Titanium
With an ultimate strength of about 434 MPa, titanium is the perfect blend of strength and practicality. Its low density makes it perfect for industrial uses requiring a strong metal with a high melting point. Indeed, titanium has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any natural metal known to man. Pure titanium is stronger than standard steel, while being less than half the weight, and can be made into even stronger alloys. Because it is also fairly common, it's no wonder that titanium is used for a multitude of purposes. When it comes to manufacturing, the only strong natural metal worth caring about is titanium.
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