Understanding the Limits of Platinum-Gold Alloy in Armor-Piercing Applications

The title of the article suggests the alloy of 90% platinum and 10% gold has exceptional strength, 100 times that of the strongest steel. This claim, however, is based on a misunderstanding of the properties of this alloy. The core issue lies in the differentiation between wear resistance and true strength.

Wear Resistance vs. Strength

The alloy's supposed 100 times more wear resistance does not translate into a similar factor in strength. Wear resistance pertains to an object's ability to resist abrasion and degradation over time. The alloy discussed here has a unique property: it collects and breaks down carbon-containing molecules from the environment, synthesizing its own lubricant on the surface. This property was effective in a strictly confined application, namely reducing wear in mechanical contexts. However, for use in armor-piercing applications, this property is irrelevant.

Appropriateness for Armor-Piercing Bullets

Armor-piercing bullets are not judged based on their strength or hardness. Instead, they rely heavily on velocity. Even if the platinum-gold alloy were incredibly strong, its effectiveness in armor-piercing roles would not be determined by this strength. High-velocity is the key to penetrating armor, as a bullet can still pierce through hardened steel plates if it is fast enough.

Cost and Practicality

The second major misconception lies in cost and practicality. If an armor-piercing bullet were made of 90% platinum and 10% gold, the cost would be exorbitant. A 23-gram 50 cal BMG bullet crafted of this alloy would have a value of $1000. With a standard ammunition can holding 100 rounds, the total value would be $100,000. This astronomical cost makes the alloy unsuitable for practical combat scenarios. Furthermore, such expensive projectiles would likely be targeted for theft rather than their intended use, rendering them ineffective.

Experimental Feasibility

While the concept of using precious metals in armor-piercing applications is intriguing, the economic and practical hurdles are significant. To explore this further would require substantial research and development. However, the prohibitive costs and the lack of practical benefits make it an impractical endeavor.

Current State of Armor-Piercing Technology

As it stands, armor-piercing rounds are already highly optimized for their role. Cal .50 AP rounds, for example, easily penetrate standard rolled homogenous armor plate. API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) rounds add an additional layer of effectiveness by creating noticeable incendiary effects upon impact. These rounds are designed with specific purposes in mind, and any attempt to change their composition to include expensive precious metals would need to be meticulously justified in terms of cost and benefit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the platinum-gold alloy may have impressive wear resistance, this property is not relevant to armor-piercing applications. High-velocity is the critical factor, and costly precious metals like platinum and gold would be prohibitive and impractical for such roles. The key to developing effective armor-piercing technology lies in optimizing and refining existing materials and manufacturing processes rather than exploring exorbitantly expensive alloys.