If you choose your metal appropriately, the oxidisation would enhance the durability of the product. After all, aluminium oxide -- alumina -- in some crystal configurations is among the harder substances. Some precious or semiprecious stones are alumina crystals.
I find the issue of alloy versus compound, as far as metals-only associations are concerned, something of a non-issue. I don't really see much difference in the atom-to-atom binding whether we are talking iron to chromium or iron to iron. Moral so-called Majority notwithstanding, I approve.
It seems to me that the metal aerogel would still be a metal. The fine structure is not so fine that we get to quantum weirdnesses, although I would expect ferromagnetism to disappear -- ferromagnetism requires certain grain size.
You might find it interesting to look at the differences between foams and sponges. The structures are not identical. I wonder which category the aerogels fall in. Casual thought of the generative process would suggest foam, I'm afraid.
- o -
What kind of person is it that posts in other persons' dreams?
(no subject)
I find the issue of alloy versus compound, as far as metals-only associations are concerned, something of a non-issue. I don't really see much difference in the atom-to-atom binding whether we are talking iron to chromium or iron to iron. Moral so-called Majority notwithstanding, I approve.
It seems to me that the metal aerogel would still be a metal. The fine structure is not so fine that we get to quantum weirdnesses, although I would expect ferromagnetism to disappear -- ferromagnetism requires certain grain size.
You might find it interesting to look at the differences between foams and sponges. The structures are not identical. I wonder which category the aerogels fall in. Casual thought of the generative process would suggest foam, I'm afraid.
- o -
What kind of person is it that posts in other persons' dreams?
(no subject)
Morpheus, as in Dream?