Spike Jones wrote:
> I wish to propose a metric: tensile strength as a function of density, call
> it specific strength. Strangely enough, the units come out to the square
> of velocity, m^2/sec^2:
>
> Nowthen, we want to make a table of specific strengths* of various
> materials in terms of m^2/sec^2. Question: has anybody heard of
> such a technique before? I cant find it in any of my materials science
> texts, but it seems obviously useful for topics like the space cable and
> such. Doug? Anybody?
While I haven't come across it as a concept with its own name, several of
the sites I've seen talk about strength-to-weight ratios, and so, for
example, rate graphite whiskers ahead of alumina whiskers, even though the
alumina has a better measured tensile strength. To use your terminology,
the graphite has the higher specific strength.
> * strengths: theres a world with 9 letters and only 1 vowel. Is that the
> only word like that? spike
Its the cannonical example of the most consonants per vowel in the English
language (providing you are willing to count 'w' as a vowel. Otherwise
crwth and kwm tie for infinity). Its probably surpassed by some word in
some other language.
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