Titanic: Hull Materials & Construction - Get Answers Here!

In summary: Titanic_Hull&oldid=258In summary, the materials used to build the hull of the Titanic were high in sulfur and caused a night to remember.
  • #1
decibel
107
1
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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  • #2
  • #3
great, thanks a lot friend
 
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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.
 
  • #5
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
 
  • #6
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.
 
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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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  • #8
Yes- recall some mention of rivets too.
 
  • #9
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
 

1. What materials were used to construct the Titanic's hull?

The Titanic's hull was made primarily of steel, specifically a high-quality grade known as mild steel. It was also reinforced with double bottom and double hull construction, making it one of the strongest ships of its time.

2. How was the Titanic's hull constructed?

The Titanic's hull was built using a technique known as riveting, where the steel plates were held together by thousands of rivets. The plates were first riveted together in sections, and then these sections were joined together to form the hull.

3. How thick was the Titanic's hull?

The Titanic's hull was approximately 1 inch thick, with the exception of the double hull which was 2 inches thick. This thickness provided the necessary strength and stability for the ship to withstand harsh ocean conditions.

4. Were any special features used in the construction of the Titanic's hull?

Yes, the Titanic's hull featured a double bottom and double hull construction, which was a significant improvement from previous ships. The double bottom provided an extra layer of protection against potential hull breaches, while the double hull added strength and stability to the ship.

5. How did the materials and construction of the Titanic's hull contribute to its sinking?

The materials and construction of the Titanic's hull were not the sole factors that contributed to its sinking. However, the extensive use of steel and riveting made the hull more susceptible to damage from collisions with icebergs. Additionally, the lack of proper safety measures, such as insufficient lifeboats, played a significant role in the loss of life during the Titanic's sinking.

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