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Dec 15 2008 11:21pm
In space, if unprotected pieces of metal touch each other, they stick together permanently.

This doesn't happen on Earth, because the oxygen in our atmosphere forms an extremely thin film of oxidized metal on every exposed surface. The oxidization layer acts as a barrier that conveniently prevents chunks of metal from sticking to other chunks of metal.

In the vacuum of space, however, there is no oxidation layer. If the atoms of two metal objects come in contact with each other, what you suddenly have is one continuous metal object, and a lot of explaining to do to your mission commander.

This is an issue on the space station. Metal tools used outside the station have to be coated with plastic or other materials that will not stick.




got it from here: http://www.coolsciencefacts.com/2006/metal.html
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Dec 15 2008 11:22pm
wow, that is awesome
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Dec 16 2008 12:19am
That's pretty neat ohmy.gif
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Dec 16 2008 12:44am
Quote
Update: While this effect is real, it probably isn't an issue for NASA. If you brought a metal tool with you into space, it'd retain the protective oxidation layer it had on Earth, and you wouldn't have any problems unless you went to a lot of trouble to remove it. However, the process of cold welding is sometimes used in industrial applications.


Still a very interesting concept.
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Dec 16 2008 03:26pm
strange
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Dec 16 2008 03:30pm
so say you stick to metal thigns together and bring them back to earth, what will happen
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Dec 16 2008 03:43pm
Quote (Osirislives @ Tue, Dec 16 2008, 04:30pm)
so say you stick to metal thigns together and bring them back to earth, what will happen


THEY WILL STAY AS ONE
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Dec 16 2008 04:07pm
Quote (Osirislives @ Tue, Dec 16 2008, 04:30pm)
so say you stick to metal thigns together and bring them back to earth, what will happen


They would stay connected.
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Dec 16 2008 04:16pm
That's awesome.
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Jan 12 2009 09:09am
Sweet.
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