11: The stress test machine crashed!

“If such a steel plate truly exists, then national prosperity will be just around the corner!” Elder Xu’s voice was heavy.

His eyes were filled with longing for a future life and a desire for the country's prosperity and development.

But a moment later, he slowly shook his head.

This was impossible.

How could there be steel in the world that could withstand anti-materiel sniper weapons?

At least, given the current level of technology, this was a fanciful idea.

Not to mention that such a thing couldn't possibly appear domestically; even the Eagle Nation, which flaunted its might on the high seas daily, couldn't develop such a material yet.

It was a joke.

What kind of hardness would a steel plate that could withstand anti-materiel weapons need to have?

It was simply unimaginable!

Material of such strength could not be developed overnight.

Who knew how many difficulties awaited them?

Moreover, these difficulties were one more challenging than the last.

Every small problem was enough to make countless materials experts lose sleep and forget to eat, and they still might not be able to overcome it.

These difficulties could not be overcome in one fell swoop.

They required repeated optimization and modification, and the accumulation of time.

It was a natural progression.

Such a material was still very far off from the present.

“Elder Xu, Wang Hu isn’t joking. The steel plate you are looking at now truly possesses this capability.” Zhao Zhenghua said with a serious expression, showing no hint of jest.

“Alright, alright. Let’s assume it’s true. Even if you’re pulling an old man’s leg, I’ll accept it. Tell me, what do you want to test?” Elder Xu smiled, not pressing the issue further.

However, from the expression on his face, the others understood that he simply didn’t believe this steel plate could reach such a level.

The three looked at each other, speechless.

They were not technical personnel in materials and did not know what materials needed to be tested.

“Since you don’t know, then I’ll proceed according to the regular procedure, shall I?” Seeing that the others couldn’t offer any suggestions, Elder Xu proceeded to test the steel plate according to his own process.

The first test was for hardness.

For materials like steel plates, this test was almost always mandatory.

Under Elder Xu’s instructions, the three together moved the steel plate to the hardness testing machine.

“Let’s start with a Level 1 pressure test. Most steel plates won’t be able to withstand this Level 1 pressure.” After securing the steel plate, Elder Xu began operating the machine for the test.

As the machine slowly started, the quenching steel round head of the testing machine slowly pressed down towards the steel plate.

This method involved continuously applying pressure to the steel plate.

Finally, by calculating the depth of the indentation using a formula, the hardness of the steel plate could be determined.

The three standing there did not seem nervous.

They knew full well that the hardness of this steel plate could not possibly be so fragile.

How could a steel plate capable of withstanding anti-materiel weapons be so simple?

If it couldn’t even withstand a Level 1 test, then it couldn’t possibly block bullets from firearms.

After a few breaths, Elder Xu operated the machine, lifting the quenching steel head that had been pressing on the surface of the steel plate.

The three immediately came to the steel plate’s side.

Sure enough, there was not a single indentation on it!

“Oh, I didn’t expect the quality of this steel plate to be quite good.” Elder Xu’s eyes showed surprise.

He hadn’t expected this steel plate, which came from who-knows-where, to withstand a Level 1 pressure test.

Many conventional steel plates outside couldn’t even withstand this Level 1 pressure test.

And once it could withstand a Level 1 pressure test, it meant that this type of steel plate could already be used in the production and manufacturing of firearms and other conventional weapons.

“Which research lab did you get this steel plate from?” Elder Xu asked Zhao Zhenghua.

In his opinion, only a national-level materials research lab could produce this type of steel plate.

As for private enterprises outside, their technology wasn't that advanced yet.

“Elder Xu, this is a steel plate I ordered from a small private Steel Factory.” Zhao Zhenghua answered truthfully.

“A small private Steel Factory?

Can such a Steel Factory even produce steel plates like this?

The speed of technological innovation outside is even faster than I imagined!

It seems I need to go out and take a look when I have time.

Otherwise, I might be complacent and fall behind others without even realizing it.”

Elder Xu sighed, then tested again.

This time, he directly operated the testing machine, initiating a Level 2 pressure test.

As the testing machine slowly started, the quenching steel head once again pressed down mercilessly onto the steel plate.

After a while, Elder Xu shut down the testing machine and returned to the steel plate to check the test results.

Upon seeing it, even with his vast experience, he was stunned on the spot.

The three also gathered around.

They saw that the surface of the steel plate still had no indentation whatsoever; it was as smooth as ever.

“How is this possible? This is a Level 2 pressure test!” Elder Xu exclaimed in surprise.

No one knew better than him what kind of material could pass a Level 2 pressure test.

Among the many Steel Factories in the country, only those state-owned Steel Factories had the capability to produce this type of steel plate.

And steel plates that passed a Level 2 pressure test were generally used to manufacture some high-precision equipment.

The raw materials for the armored vehicles currently in national service, as well as the 'King of the Land,' tanks, were steel materials that had passed a Level 2 pressure test.

Materials that passed a Level 2 pressure test, as long as their thickness met the standard, could resist anti-materiel weapons without issue.

And now, what did he see?

There was not a single indentation on the surface of the steel plate before him.

This indicated that the quality of the steel plate before him far exceeded that of most Steel Factories in the country.

This type of material, apart from being used in specialized fields, was simply not seen elsewhere.

Furthermore, this material was extremely precious, always internally consumed as strategic material, and would never be sold externally.

“Zhao, are you sure this was produced by a private Steel Factory?” Elder Xu’s expression was serious.

“Yes. This is a Steel Factory opened by an old comrade of mine. It’s a very small Steel Factory, almost on the verge of bankruptcy.” Zhao Zhenghua spoke the truth.

“Was your old comrade a specialist in materials research before?”

“Well… I suppose so.”

“No wonder. Based on the quality of this steel plate, it’s no longer an ordinary material. Even the armor of active main battle tanks isn’t as good as this steel plate. And this steel plate is only three centimeters thick. It seems your old comrade is a genius!” Elder Xu said with full approval.

He then operated the testing machine again, directly initiating a Level 3 pressure test.

He wanted to see where the limit of this steel plate lay.

Currently, very few materials could withstand a Level 3 pressure test.

Materials that could withstand a Level 3 pressure test were all national strategic materials with limited production.

These materials were generally used in aerospace.

Due to their scarcity, they were extremely precious, their value even comparable to gold!

Then, after a long while, “Elder Xu, your machine isn’t strong enough! The steel plate hasn’t changed at all.” Wang Hu observed with bright eyes, speaking the truth.

“What did you say? Still no change?” Elder Xu’s eyes almost popped out.

Amidst his shock, he steeled himself.

“If that’s the case, then let’s increase the horsepower. I don’t believe we can’t take it down like this!” With that, he adjusted the pressure to the maximum.

The next second, creak, creak… The machine made an unusual sound.

Immediately after, bang! A crisp sound resounded.

Zhao Zhenghua quickly looked over.

When he saw what happened to the steel plate, he was dumbfounded on the spot.

“Elder Xu… the testing machine… it’s been… scrapped…”