Steel ingots must be soaked before they harden fully, otherwise the outer layers harden first and sulfur, phosphorus and other elements in the steel will accumulate in and harden in the top and outer layers of the ingot.
So many details of manufacturing even the simplest items cannot be overlooked, or things just won't work. If lunar structures are to last centuries, we gots to make everything right, and we have to wonder about effects of lunar dayspan heat and night time cold. What will happen to crystal structures of cast basalt and ceramic blocks from magma electrolysis? Will things get stronger? Or deteriorate? Can we heat treat bricks to alter their properties? Do we want to slow cool or fast cool? What temperatures? We've seen paintings of cities in the sky, but so many of the most basic questions remain unanswered. At least it will keep us hoppin'
Oh, why can't everything be as easy as pouring plaster in plastic animal head molds like we did in the Boy Scouts so long ago??? Nothing is simple. |
