Why Bones Break Despite Being Stronger than Steel

The common belief that bones are stronger than steel can be misleading. While bones exhibit impressive strength-to-weight ratios and can endure significant forces, they are not inherently more robust than steel in all situations, especially under high-impact scenarios. This article delves into the complexities of material properties, types of forces, and health conditions that contribute to the breakage of bones.

Material Properties

Steel's Tensile Strength: Steel is generally much stronger in terms of tensile strength, which is its ability to withstand being pulled apart. This means that while bones can handle certain types of stress, steel can endure much greater forces without failing.

Bone's Complex Structure: Bones have a complex structure that enables them to be lightweight yet strong. However, they are still a brittle material compared to steel. This brittleness makes them more susceptible to breakage under sudden high-impact forces.

Types of Forces

Designed to Handle Compressive Forces: Bones are built to handle compressive forces, such as those experienced during walking or running. However, they are more vulnerable to breaking under sudden high-impact forces, such as a blow from a steel object.

Impact and Energy Distribution: When a bone is struck by steel, the force of the impact can exceed the bone's capacity to absorb and distribute that energy, leading to a fracture. The nature of the impact, including its speed, angle, and the area of contact, plays a significant role in whether a bone will break.

Health and Condition

Factors Affecting Bone Strength: Various factors such as age, bone density, and overall health can influence the strength of bones. For example, osteoporosis can weaken bones, making them more prone to fractures.

Demonstrations of Bone Strength: Despite their impressive strength characteristics, bones can still break under certain conditions. A karate practitioner can smash a brick with their palm, but under different circumstances, such as a slip on ice, a finger might still break. Similarly, a rib can be broken during chest compressions performed too quickly on a cardiac arrest patient.

For decades, scientists have been astounded by the strength and flexibility of bones. However, live bones are subject to various conditions that can affect their integrity. Once bones are petrified, similar to granite stone, they may indeed be stronger than steel, as all moisture has been removed and they have been preserved over time.