> Le 19/03/2010 03:26, Alain nous fit lire :
>
>> Another thing in favor of copper: it's density is higher than steel or
>> iron. Around 5 - 5.5 for iron and it's alloys, about 7.5 for copper if I
>> remember corectly. Almost 50% higher.
OK, my memory played me some game.
> (for water @ 1)
> iron is about 8 (max at 7.8, adding carbon and other might drop it to
> 6.8), copper about 9 and lead about 11.3
> Lead "advantage": toxic; "default": does not hold well under pressure
> Now, if you want to play with uranium (non-radioactive/depleted), you
> get a nice 18.9, nevertheless it is recommended to stay away of
> plutonium (despite its nice 19.8)
>
> Platinum (21) is a bit too expensive, even gold (19.3)... and tungsten
> (19.6) is a bit too difficult to manufacture for bullets (well, if it
> was really worth it... but it might be too brittle too)
Tungsten carbide is used for the tips of some armor piercing amo.
>
>>
>> Copper slide well in a steel barel, while steel tend to grind into the
>> barel. It's not only the hardness that mather, but also the different
>> crystaline structure of the different metals.
>
> Right. Also iron have a magnetic issue, as well as a rusting issue. (and
> as rust make the metal expand... you end up unable to fire)

High density... take a look at osmium with a good 22.6, the highest you 
can find. Problem, it's brittle, very difficult to work, very expensive, 
and it's oxyde is extremely toxic.



Alain

Post a reply to this message