The automotive sector frequently relies on a broad mix of materials, each chosen for its unique properties under stress. In this instance, a video presentation experimented with a range of materials by subjecting them to extreme compressive forces, deliberately excluding carbon as a comparative baseline. The core idea was to test how different substances behave when crushed, using a uniform shape to keep the comparison fair.
Although the video does not present itself as a formal scientific investigation, the experiment was designed with a clear and simple setup. All samples were shaped into hollow cylinders of identical dimensions. The materials tested include aluminum, brass, titanium, low-grade steel, stainless steel, PVC, and acrylic. Each cylinder was subjected to the same crushing force, and the resulting pressure at failure was recorded in kilograms. This approach emphasizes how material properties influence strength under load while keeping the test visually straightforward.
Each cylinder was weighed before testing to add a dimension of mass to the results. Acrylic was the lightest, tipping the scales at 9 grams. PVC and carbon fiber cylinders followed closely at 11 grams each. The heaviest sample was stainless steel, coming in at 59 grams. Other weights included low-grade steel at 58 grams, aluminum at 20 grams, titanium at 33 grams, and brass at 45 grams. The data show how density relates to performance under pressure, a factor that matters in real-world applications where weight and strength must be balanced.
Acrylic demonstrated surprising resilience, enduring up to 1538 kilograms of compressive force before failing. The PVC cylinder collapsed under 1004 kilograms. Carbon fiber resisted up to 2998 kilograms, with warning signs beginning to appear around 2000 kilograms as fragments and wires started to separate. Aluminum sustained a higher load of 3840 kilograms, while titanium withstood an impressive 9190 kilograms, highlighting its excellent strength-to-weight ratio in high-demand contexts.
Among the tested materials, stainless steel stood out for its formidable strength, enduring up to 15,800 kilograms. This level of performance was five times greater than that of carbon fiber, though it was also significantly heavier by weight. Stainless steel is a common choice for car body frames because of this blend of rigidity and durability, a trend seen across many areas of automotive construction where safety and longevity are paramount.
Video: YouTube (Citation: internal test summary)