Titanic: Hull Materials & Construction - Get Answers Here!

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the materials used in the construction of the Titanic's hull, highlighting key factors that contributed to its failure during the iceberg collision. The hull was primarily made of steel that had a high sulfur content, which increased its brittleness and led to a brittle fracture upon impact. The failure was exacerbated by the riveting method employed at the time, known as "cold stamping," which created microscopic cracks in the rivet holes. This resulted in rivets popping out under stress, allowing steel plates to separate rather than a single large breach occurring. Ultrasound investigations of the wreck revealed multiple small tears rather than a significant gash, confirming that the hull's integrity was compromised by the rivets and the steel's brittleness. For further information, users are encouraged to utilize specific search terms and visit dedicated Titanic forums and resources.
decibel
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i'd like to know about the materials that were used to build the hull of the titanic?...i'v googled it,,, but i suck at finding info so bad, can anyone help?
 
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great, thanks a lot friend
 
You're welcome. Googling is a matter of deciding what the important key words are. In this case it was easy. "Titanic" alone would be too broad, if that's what you were trying. "Titanic hull" might have worked, but "Titanic hull material" is best since that is specifically what you want to know.
 
hmmm...the actual question says "find out about the materials used to build the hull of the Titanic.Create list with a brief description of each material"

its so hard to find good info about this stuff, maybe someone can help
 
I recall a prof. saying the steel had a high sulfur (sulphur?) content, raising its embrittlement transition temperature. I think the mode of failure was found to be brittle fracture.
 
They now believe that the cause of the hull breach was due to the rivets popping out, thus allowing the steel plates to separate. This was a combination of the riveting method used and the brittleness of the steel due to high sulphur content.

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Considerable hullabaloo attended the attempt in the summer of 1996 to raise a piece of the hull from the debris field, but far more interesting was the ultrasound investigation of the area of the bow damaged by the iceberg. These images revealed six small tears or openings affecting the first six compartments. Just as we had surmised in 1986, the great gash was a myth and the actual openings into the ship seem to have been the result of rivets popping and hull plates separating.

http://www.pbs.org/lostliners/titanic.html

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•The steel used to construct Titanic was rather brittle. Today's steel would have bent more easily, thus resisting complete failure better than Titanic did. Even for its day, Titanic's hull contained more sulphur than usual, which contributed to its brittleness.

•The point of failure on the hull was at the steel rivets, which, when a 90 degree sheer was applied to them, caused them to pop out like popcorn. The method of creating rivet holes at that time was known as "cold stamping," which involves a cutting machine ramming the steel when it is cold. This process creates microscopic cracks at the hole, which made it that much easier for the rivets to pop loose. Modern rivet holes are made while the steel is still hot, when riveting is used at all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A372584
 
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Yes- recall some mention of rivets too.
 
decibel said:
hmmm...the actual question says "find out about the materials used to build the hull of the Titanic.Create list with a brief description of each material"

its so hard to find good info about this stuff, maybe someone can help
I'm amazed, there is a current forum on the Titanic where you can ask questions about the Titanic and get a real time response.

Go to the message board and ask your questions.

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/index.php
 
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