Re:Is It Possible to Build an "Unsinkable" Ship?
by rorrr on Sunday April 15, 2012 @10:50PM
(#3845684)
There are many materials that are stronger than steel and lighter than water.
It's all about costs, not about technology.
Re:Is It Possible to Build an "Unsinkable" Ship?
by ars on Monday April 16, 2012 @03:13PM
(#3848853)
Such as?
And stronger by weight or by volume? Stronger in tensile strength or by compression? In resisting flexing? Can it handle vibration and bending without cracking? Is it tough enough not to be abraded? Can it distribute stress (by giving a bit)?
The word "stronger" by itself has no meaning in engineering. You need to specify all those things I listed when describing stronger.
It might not sink, but if it won't hold together, you can't keep people and stuff inside it. Of course, I'm not a materials expert, but this seems like a good reason our ships are made of metal.