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Terraformer

Member

From: The Fortunate Isles

Registered: 2007-08-27

Posts: 3,907

Website

Metal Stocks In Society Report

There has already been work done to quantify how much of various metals we have already dug out of the ground and refined:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Sto … ety_report

With 80kg of aluminum per person already mined, and with reserves of bauxite far larger than production, I think aluminum is going to become the most common conductor. It's already used in powerlines. Hard to see a reason it couldn't be used in an overhead wire system for vehicles.

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Use what is abundant and build to last

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 19,440

Re: Metal Stocks In Society Report

For Terraformer re new topic ...

This post is primarily to make sure there is at least one reply.

However, there ** is ** a possibility members may be interested in contributing other data about metals on Earth, or anywhere, as those become available.

The Wikipedia article was updated most recently in 2021.  Several of the references go back to 2010 or so.

It seems likely to me there may be more recent data to add to the topic.

In issue with using aluminum for long distance power transmission may be a need for a bit more cross section to carry needed current.  Silver, Copper, Gold, Aluminum, Zinc and Platinum. The order of conductivity from an old text. 

(th)

Calliban

Member

From: Northern England, UK

Registered: 2019-08-18

Posts: 3,796

Re: Metal Stocks In Society Report

HV transmission lines are already made from aluminium alloys. Compared to aluminium alloys, copper has a poor strength-weight ratio.  This makes it unsuitable for long spans.  There are problems with substituting aluminium for copper in other electrical applications.  It is relatively strong, but quite soft, making it unsuitable for sliding contacts.  It is also vulnerable to fatigue, making it unsuitable for constant flexing.  Aluminium was trialled as a domestic wiring material in the US.  It caused a number of fires and fell out of favour.  Iron and steel are potential conductors.  Because of their ferromagnetic properties, skin effect makes them useless for AC  power transmission.  But both conduct DC without any problems.  Steel is less vulnerable to flexing fatigue and wear, but more vulnerable to corrosion.  A layer of graphite grease will suppress corrosion in conductor cables and rails.

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"Plan and prepare for every possibility, and you will never act. It is nobler to have courage as we stumble into half the things we fear than to analyse every possible obstacle and begin nothing. Great things are achieved by embracing great dangers."