Is there a way to make a metal stronger?

Question

For example can you "Reinforce" steel to make it a stronger metal, also not only pertaining to steel. Can it be done to say Copper, Iron etc. A place with the information or a list of what metals you can, also what the process is called so I can perhaps research it more.

Answer 1

tempering does not make it stronger, it makes it harder....
forging steel compresses the carbon atoms making it stronger...

as a molten metal cools, crystals form. By manipulating that process, you vary the strength.
Different alloys can be added to interlock the crystal structure, or different cooling processes.
The materials weakness is in the crystal boundary, so enhancing that makes it stronger.
an example is the turbine blade in a jet engine. This is subjected to some of the strongest forces we know. Blades are produced and then cured so that the blade consists of one crystal with no boundary

steel has over 5000 alloys, so check Wikipedia
silicon, magnesium, berylium are added to aluminum

add tin to copper=bronze
add zinc to copper=brass

Answer 2

One of the simplest 'blacksmith' methods of making a metal stronger is called 'tempering'.

The blacksmith would take a length of metal, say a sword or spear, heat it red hot in the furnace or hearth, dip it in a bucket of iron filings or iron shavings, and then beat it on an anvil with a hammer. Then repeat this process over and over again until the desired strength is acquired.

Tempering is done in many ways and there is a modern application to the old blacksmith process.

(Remember the old saying? A man is like steel, if he loses his temper he's useless!)

Answer 3

Depends on what you mean by "stronger" (higher tensile strength? greater toughness? better resistance to fatigue?, etc).

Two common ways that metal properties can be modified are alloying and heat treating. Each method is a huge field unto itself. Plenty to find there.

Oh, and don't forget that simply changing the _shape_ of the metal can make a huge difference in the metal's ability to withstand a load.

Answer 4

Tempering.

Use heat to inject carbon into the metal (like working a sword) makes the steal stronger. Heat and hammering the metal

Answer 5

You can alloy the metal with another to increase its strength by melting it together with something that will enhance its toughness. You can heat treat it to get a crystalline structure that is less likely to fracture. You can drop forge it to make sure that it has no weakness in the critical areas. You can electroplate it to make it more resistant to corrosion that could break it if it was flexed. You could hardface it by melting a coating of tougher material onto its working edge.

Answer 6

make the metal alloy

Answer 7

forging / heating