How do Astronauts Weld in Space?
%2Favatars%2FuB2Dok3MjXqw.jpg&w=96&q=75)
/2023/02/25/image/jpeg/jcCDNA6gIS7HajXpspba80jRw2RJJz5AGWHiyY11.jpg "The science behind the propellers moving the world’s largest ships")
/2023/02/19/image/jpeg/G4Kjw5BkCROdRTaxjw70IN0O0koHutnju4kOJsM1.jpg "The world's tiniest 3D printer is smaller than a match")
/2023/06/02/image/jpeg/WoCbNVsmphlvQctx3g1Ap9RuofL46ceAyc6LGoQ4.jpg "The B-52: A timeless titan of the US air force's arsenal")
/2023/06/01/image/jpeg/63wCElXbCwNs3aofBRlms7GEby4njfZblplT0oz1.jpg "How maglev trains work")
/2023/06/02/image/jpeg/yJC7ZSeWAlzBzcTKMmq0Ya5rpw7Yqe7S70z2Uaov.jpg "Are we killing architecture with minimalism?")
/2023/05/31/image/jpeg/azWZxtWJib7gDisRjvMNrfW86emokXHzILSdLtkt.jpg "Maximizing harvest efficiency with the LEXION 8900 combine harvester")
/2023/05/31/image/jpeg/tNnbP1P2WctMX2oF0AePDZqHiN0SZmMkmYNaXozO.jpg "EA-18G Growler: The aircraft that kills the enemy's senses")
/2023/05/30/image/jpeg/HAFT32JVDDmRAYg8nviqpg8y21FibrgidCWRBvWG.jpg "20 Innovative food technology that will make you hungry")
/2023/05/29/image/jpeg/ZTCMjzkmF2xH30vIVb7wv2OEh3es9rsMxqbNf4se.jpg "AbramsX Tank: A glimpse into the future of armored warfare")
/2023/05/26/image/jpeg/HBDNTlttuobNc3kjwO6siQX4aSLwkF3SDN1Z99K3.jpg "From passenger to cargo: The evolution of the Boeing 747-8")
On Earth, metals need to be heated past their melting points in order to weld together. But how does that work in space where there isn't oxygen to facilitate a flame?
This video from the minds at Veritasium explains the science of "cold welding." When two metals touch in space, they can fuse together without the need for an open flame. Why? Because metals have both positively moving ions in a "sea" of negatively moving electrons. Without oxygen in space, the oxide layer over the metals disappears. Just add a little bit of force and the metals can fuse together.
See Also
We also applaud this video's use of PayDay bars for scientific learning. Great tool, guys.
Via Veritasium
Add Interesting Engineering to your Google News feed.
Add Interesting Engineering to your Google News feed.
SHOW COMMENT (1)
For You
/2023/05/27/image/jpeg/hUmy6fVQvimxfN8HBZ2IjrGKW1f8AVmrkTi3wPtJ.jpg "Stanford professor says he is 100% sure that aliens are already on Earth")
/2023/05/29/image/jpeg/g3qXfk06EeaB5lJxE9bC2rn05nVZniR0idtdl208.jpg "Windows XP activation algorithm is defeated after 21 years")
/2023/05/26/image/webp/6Co80ZJJXboUOYLXIuCvkafLsBWpH8MROKX60PUF.webp "Hyper-luxury Bugatti tower will have its residents drive up to their floor")
/2022/08/07/image/jpeg/wPj7k2GDQgpQRHY3w0JYNX8rQG2N25rG6UFastcY.jpg "Inside the discovery of the largest bacteria ever found")
/2022/12/02/image/jpeg/GfIH4iN7OMbcuMVtFQecKvVXul6NXyhEQqZS3cpS.jpg "Dawn of the Space Age: Past, present, and future of propulsion technology")
/2023/05/31/image/jpeg/cBPsRNE1Kc9USJTb6RvLg98fqY30HyEbhqfnvWg8.jpg "Advancing fusion energy: Researchers achieve record-breaking temperatures in a tokamak")
/2022/08/12/image/jpeg/li4ov460S966ypBT4yqhWhMFXbE0xce8v74Xar6W.png "Australian astrophysicist says ‘we are lucky’ SpaceX’s Crew-1 debris landed in a rural area")
/2022/10/16/image/jpeg/fQzLV2IStrhXbu5atIoUNr2e1QAgEkBVnnSNuC3k.jpg "9 helpful SQL tips to create and maintain a top-notch database")
/2023/05/26/image/jpeg/smTFO3AG7ESAzCi8L0kVnrUEHbVmcjiZ2KhVW0QE.jpg "Potential cure for diabetes found in groundbreaking stem cell study")
/img/iea/EBwmqg9bw0/istock-1307534443.jpg "Computer scientists just developed a system for helping AI understand human goals")
Job Board