VOCABULARY TERM: SPACE METAL

Space Metal. A new metal alloy formulated in space, outside the gravity restrictions of the earth. While we can only speculate on the physical characteristics of space metals now in the 21st century, it is inevitable that new alloys will be formed in space shortly. Gold, as heavy as it is, cannot be alloyed with light-weight aluminum on earth. And despite the term nickel-silver (actually a bronze alloy) nickel and silver are not a compatible alloy – they cannot be alloyed on earth. (Such mixtures are called noncompatible alloys.) Another is lead and zinc. Could these alloys be formulated in space, and if so, what metallurgical characteristics would these and other new alloys posses? It is obvious a medal could be fabricated in any of these alloys no matter what physical properties they posses. (In the article on medallic object the author predicts that the organization that produces the first medal of space metal will reap a fortune.) But metallurgists might find uses for a space alloy what could be beyond our expectations. Say, a new coinage alloy from space perhaps.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Space Metal (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516782)

 

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