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Question:

what is the densest type of steel alloy?

what is the densest type of steel ? what is its density ?what is its tensile strength .

Answer:

The density of steels ranges from about 7.7 to a bit over 8.0 g/cm^3, depending on the specific type. Some of the tool steels (a group that contains alloying elements such as cobalt, molybdenum, and tungsten) and some of the stainless steels tend to be the most dense. Steels are a very large family of alloys, having in common that iron is the principal ingredient (They are iron-based, and ALL steels are mostly iron, by definition. Nickel-based superalloys such as inconel and hastelloy are therefore not steels). There are other elements present in steel - usually carbon, at a minimum. The range of carbon content for ordinary steels runs from a trace (~.1% or so) up to a maximum of 2%, theoretically, though actual carbon contents above 1% are fairly rare. Many other elements may be added to produce various types of steels having specific properties. In corrosion-resistant steels, carbon is usually present in only minute quantities, with chromium (400 series) or chromium plus nickel (300 series) being the major alloying additions. In the 400 series grades that can be hardened by heat treatment, hardening is accomplished though the combined effects of the carbon and chromium. The 300 series alloys can be hardened (and strengthened) only through cold working (strain hardening). Density has no direct relationship to tensile strength, BTW.
Agree okorder . If you are really looking for higher density, go to copper or tungsten.
Steel weighs 490 lbs/ft3. Then the alloying elements change the density slightly either way depending on their weight. This is the first time I have heard of someone looking for dense steel. Normally they look up the kind of steel based on what properties of the steel they are looking for. ie stainless steel, heat treatable, toughness, etc. Are you sure you are asking the right question?
Technically, any metal that is not pure could be considered a steel alloy with the addition of iron. Density will vary depending on the percentage of each alloying element. In commonly available alloys, those with a high percentage of nickel will be the most dense. Nickel has a high molecular weight and readily alloys with most other metals. This class of materials is stainless steels, heat resistant super alloys such as inconel, hastalloy, etc. Tensile strength is not directly related to nickel content. Elements such as boron, manganese, molybdenum, and chromium have the most effect on tensile strength in steel alloys both as rolled and heat treated. Hope that answers your question.

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