Ideally, it refers to a point metal transitions from temporary to permanent deformation. With the knowledge of metal’s tensile strength, you can predict:

Metal’s ductile failure – usually, this occurs after subjecting the metal to tensional forces exceeding the yield point. Thereby, resulting in permanent deformation.
Brittle failure – it is a critical point for determining the tensile strength

The SI unit for metal tensile strength is:

Pascal (Pa)
Mega Pascal (MPa)
Giga Pascal (GPa)
Pounds per square inch (PSI)

Tungsten tensile strength is about 500,000psi. This is actually the highest for a metal in pure form. It can maintain strength at extremely high temperatures.

Yield Strength

It is force a metal should withstand just before deformation starts.

Usually, you can use yield strength to estimate possible elastic limits for metals. Remember, before a metal reaches the yielding point after removing a force or load, it will retain its original shape.

Therefore, when examining a metal, the yield strength denotes the upper limit. You will use this data to estimate the optimal force or load a metal can handle.

In today’s metal industry, carbon steel remains a metal alloy with the highest yield strength. The yield strength is about 260 MPa.

Compressive Strength

As you compress metal, the metal may resist forces deforming its structure. The maximum force it can withstand is compressive strength.

Of all metals available in the market, high carbon steel has the highest compressive strength.

Remember, the metal compressive strength varies depending:

Heat treatment
Chemical composition
Other special processing and treatment

A compressive force refers to the exact instance where deformation starts.

Impact Strength

It is the metals capability to withstand or resist abrupt force. The ability to resist force is the impact strength.

The change in the metal structure can either be cracking, or fracturing. Factors determining impact strength are:

Yield strength
Distribution forces
Volume
Elasticity

Comparing Metal Strength

Ideally, all metals exist in two main forms:

Pure metal – it is metal without impurities or other elements.
Alloy metal – here, you add other elements to pure metal. Usually, the main reason is to improve the chemical, physical and mechanical properties.

Therefore, while comparing metal strength, it is important to acknowledge whether you are using pure metal or an alloy metal.

Usually, the tensile strength, yield strength, comprehensive strength, and impact strength tend to fluctuate in metals. Therefore, at times arranging metals from strongest to weakest or vice versa can be challenging.

It can be easier if you focus on a single parameter say tensile strength or yield strength. With that background information, let’s compare the yield strength and tensile strengths of the strongest metals on earth:

Note: The figures below are estimates (Let your metal manufacturer provide verifiable data on various materials before purchase)

1. Steel Alloy

Steel is one of the strongest metal alloys. Both the yield strength and tensile strength vary depending on the grade.

Currently, steel alloys are the most commonly used materials globally. Normally, the steel chemical composition varies depending on the grade.

The elements may include, carbon, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, columbium, manganese, and copper, amongst others.

Some popular steel alloys include:

· High Carbon Steel

These steels have a high quantity of carbon alongside other elements such as manganese (1.2%) and silicon (0.4%). Usually, the composition may also include other elements such as nickel, chromium, etc.

The strength characteristics of high carbon steel are:

Yield strength – 490 to 584 MPa
Tensile strength – 635 to 965 MPa

More resources:

Steel – Source: Wikipedia

High carbon steel – source: AZO materials

· Low Carbon Steel

It is also called plain carbon steel. Usually, the quantity of carbon ranges between 0.05% and 0.25%. Ideally, low carbon steel has good toughness and strength.

When it comes to strength, here are the key variables:

Yield strength – 330 to 370 MPa
Tensile strength – 440 to 450 MPa

More resources:

Low Carbon Steel – Source: AZO Materials

Low Carbon Steel Properties – Source: Science Direct

· Maraging Steel

Maraging steel has superior strength toughness and strength. Even at high strength levels, these steel alloys do not lose their ductility. As for the carbon content, the quantity is relatively low.

Yield strength – 655 to 1400 MPa
Tensile strength – 965 to 1723 MPa

The main applications include rocket motor cages, aircraft landing gear, etc.

More resources:

Maraging Steel – Source: AZO Materials

Maraging Steel Properties & Applications – Source: Science Direct

· Stainless Steel

Stainless steel comes in many families including austenitic steels, duplex steels, Ferritic steels, martensitic steel, and precipitation-hardening steels.

Therefore, when it comes to stainless steel strength, there is a wide variation. You can estimate depending on the stainless steel grade:

Yield strength – 170 to 965 MPa
Tensile strength – 800 MPa

More resources:

Stainless steel – Source: AZO Material

Stainless Steel Types – Source: Thomas Net

· Tool Steel

These are steels specially formulated for making tools. It may include hand tools, cutting tools, or drills.

As result, the tool steels are strong, hard, and resistant to abrasion. They must withstand the shear forces during the machining process. The strength is:

Yield strength – 1400 MPa
Tensile strength – 5205 MPa

More resources:

Tool steel – Source: Wikipedia

Tool Steel Definition – Source: Xometry

· Inconel

Inconel is suitable for high-temperature applications. It is a popular superalloy.

Ideally, the chemical composition blends many elements, a reason for superior strength and durability. The strength characteristics are:

Yield strength – 758 to 827 MPa
Tensile strength – 714 to 1120 MPa

More resources:

Inconel Alloys – Source: Wikipedia

Super Alloy Inconel – Source: AZO Materials

Applications

Due to its exceptional strength and mechanical properties, you can use steel in many applications such as:

Pipes and tubes
Turbine blades
Home appliances
Kitchenware
Building structures
Inconel suitable for nuclear reactors and high-pressure systems
Reinforcing structure
Radiator components, etc.

2. Tungsten

Tungsten has the highest tensile strength. Of course, it is with respect to the metal’s pure state.

At the same time, the metal is brittle. Consequently, not suitable for use in pure form.

Tungsten was discovered in 1781. Due to its exceptional strength, it is also referred to as a heavy stone.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Tungsten	750	3447

Applications

You can use Tungsten in many applications such as;

Drill bit manufacturing
Missiles
Bullets
Saw blades
Television tubes, etc.

More resources:

Tungsten – Source: Wikipedia

Tungsten Material – Source: RSC

3. Titanium

When it comes to the high strength to weight ratio, titanium is a perfect choice.

Additionally, it forms an important element in most metal alloys apart from copper and aluminum.

Titanium was discovered in 1790.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Titanium	240 – 1260	240 -1400

Applications

Some common applications are:

Human implants
Aerospace components manufacturing
Surgical equipment
Desalination plants
Processing hydrocarbons

More resources:

Titanium Element – Source: RSC

Titanium – Source: Wikipedia

4. Chromium

The hardest metal on earth is chromium. However, chromium is naturally brittle. Therefore, it works best as an alloying element.

Additionally, it is a key alloying element in stainless steel.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (Mpa)
Chromium	316	413

Applications

Some common applications include:

Plating automobiles
Mold manufacturing
Making metal ceramics
Works as a catalyst and alloying element

More resources:

Chromium – Source: Wikipedia

Chromium Uses, Properties & Facts – Source: Britannica

5. Osmium

Osmium is a tough metal. Additionally, the metal is known for its high strength.

In most cases, you cannot use osmium in its pure form

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Osmium	1000	3920 – 4000

Applications

Among the most common applications include:

Fountain pen nibs
Electrical contacts
Needles
Instruments pivots, etc.

More resources:

Osmium Element Information – Source: RSC

Osmium – Source: Wikipedia

6. Vanadium

Vanadium is a transitional element. The metal is mainly an alloying element. This metal was discovered in 1801.

Even at high temperatures, vanadium will still maintain its high strength.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Vanadium	776	800

Applications

Among the key applications include:

Automobile parts such as pistons
Used in nuclear rectors
It can make jet engine components, axles, gears, and crankshafts, just to mention a few.

More Resources:

Vanadium Element Information – Source: RSC

Vanadium – Source: Wikipedia

7. Lutetium

8. Aluminum Alloys

Pure aluminum has low yield and tensile strength. A reason pure aluminum (1xx series) requires alloying elements.

Some common elements in these aluminum alloys include:

2xxx – main alloying element is copper
3xx – main alloying elements are copper, silicon, and magnesium
4xx – it has silicon as the main alloying element
5xx – main alloying element is magnesium
6xx – the alloy contains zinc, copper, magnesium, and silicon
7xxx – it contains zinc as an important alloying element
8xx – the key alloying elements are tin, nickel, and copper

Remember, each alloy has unique strength characteristics. On average, the strength information is as follows:

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Aluminum	95	110

You can use aluminum alloys to make heat exchanger systems, airplane parts, automotive components, consumer electronic parts, etc.

More resources:

Aluminum Grades – Source: Thomas Net

Aluminum Element – Source: RSC

9. Brass

Brass refers to many copper and zinc alloys. The alloys have varying strength and corrosion resistance capabilities.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Brass	124 to 140	388 to 469

Some common applications of brass include hinges, valves, plugs, sockets, bearings, etc.

More resources:

Brass – Source: AZO Materials

Brass Material – Source: Wikipedia

10. Bronze

Bronze is primarily made from tin and copper, alongside other elements. The alloys come in different strengths and hardness.

Here is an overview of bronze strength:

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Bronze	125 to 800	350 to 635

You can use bronze to make mailboxes, bearings, enclosure systems, etc.

More resources:

Bronze – Source: Wikipedia

Bronze Alloy – Source: AZO Material

11. Copper

Generally, copper is malleable and ductile. But even with its soft nature, it offers reasonable strength as you can see below:

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Copper	138	220 to 390

For better performance, you can alloy copper with other elements to get metals such as brass and bronze.

Some common applications of copper include piping systems, heat exchanger systems, stamped electrical parts, etc.

More resources:

Copper Material – Source: AZO Material

Copper – Source: Wikipedia

12. Iron

Iron is an abundant metal forming an important alloying element in making steel. In pure form, the metal is both ductile and malleable but with reasonable strength properties:

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (Mpa)
Iron	50	540

Iron is a key element in steel.

You can use iron to manufacture magnets. Other applications include making steel, instruments, toys, etc.

More resources;

Iron Material – Source: AZO Material

Iron Element – Source: RSC

13. Magnesium

Although magnesium offers many desirable mechanical properties, both yield strength and tensile strengths are low.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Magnesium	20	175 to 235

In most industrial applications, magnesium plays an important role as alloying metal. Magnesium alloys find applications in many industries including aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

More resources:

Magnesium properties – Source: AZO Material

Magnesium – Source: Wikipedia

14. Zinc

Generally, zinc is a strong metal with the following mechanical properties:

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Zinc	–	90 to 200

Zinc is an important alloying element in brass alloys, nickel alloys, and aluminum alloys, amongst others. Additionally, you can make electrical and automobile parts.

More resources:

Zinc & Its Properties – Source: AZO Material

Zinc – Source: Wikipedia

15. Tin

Pure tin is soft. However, you can modify tin for better mechanical properties. At the same time, the material is both malleable and ductile.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Tin	–	220

Tin plays an integral role in many industries including alloying other metals, soft solders, electroplating, and making containers.

More Resources:

Tin Material – Source: AZO Material

Tin – Source: Wikipedia

16. Lead

Lead is a known heavy metal known for its dense structure. However, it is malleable and soft.

At the same time, pure lead has the following strength characteristics:

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Lead	5.5	12 to 20

Lead metal plays an integral role in manufacturing ammunition, batteries, radiation protection equipment, etc.

More resources:

Lead – Source: Wikipedia

Lead Metal – Source: AZO Material

17. Cobalt

Another strongest metal in the world is cobalt. Naturally, cobalt is a brittle and hard material. Some strength

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Cobalt	225	675 – 1250

Cobalt is a versatile material in making metal alloys, magnets, and a catalyst in chemical industries.

More resources:

Cobalt – Source: Wikipedia

Cobalt Properties & Applications – Source: AZO Material

18. Nickel

Nickel is ductile and hard with high tensile strength.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Nickel	59	345 to 1000

You can use nickel in batteries, platting, mobile phone parts, jewelry, medical equipment, etc.

More resources:

Nickel Properties – Source: AZO Material

Nickel – Source: Wikipedia

19. Manganese

Manganese is brittle and hard. It has reasonably good mechanical strength.

Material	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)
Manganese	241	496

Manganese plays an integral role in metal alloying while acting as an active oxidizer.

More resources:

Manganese – Source: Wikipedia

Manganese Properties – Source: AZO Material

Recap of the Strongest Metals on Earth

*Mechanical Property to Compare*	*Metal Type*
Strongest metal on earth (pure form)	Tungsten
Strongest alloy Metal	Steel Alloy
Hardest metal on earth	Chromium
Strength-to-weight ratio	Titanium
Hardest platinum group metal	Osmium
Lightest metal on earth	Magnesium

In addition to the natural metal strength, you can improve these properties through various treatments. Some of these metal hardening techniques include annealing, tempering, normalization, work hardening, and age hardening, just to mention a few.