For an assignment in English class, I had to write an alternate ending to my book, "Artemis" by Andy Weir.  My question, also in the title of this forum, is; What is the effect on steel, from the temperature variations on the moon?

Thanks for helping me.

JF2020

i  don't think it will have any effect. It's not hot enough to affect its temper (hardness), if it has one, and it doesn't get cold quick enough (quenching) to affect it that way either,

Edited January 4, 20196 yr by StringJunky

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What is the effect on steel, from the temperature variations on the moon?

Temperature on the Moon varies with latitude. There will be different minimum and maximum on pole than on equator. So, you should start from looking up what are temperature minima and maxima at latitude you're interested in. Internet mentions -173 C ... +127 C. NASA moon temperature map:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lro-gal-diviner.html

 

4 hours ago, StringJunky said:

i  don't think it will have any effect.

Metals expand and shrink with temperature. So, you should look up specific material thermal expansion table. It must be taken into account even in human-made on the Earth buildings and constructions like e.g. bridges, because of variation of temperature in winter and summer.

Edited January 4, 20196 yr by Sensei

53 minutes ago, Sensei said:

Temperature on the Moon varies with latitude. There will be different minimum and maximum on pole than on equator. So, you should start from looking up what are temperature minima and maxima at latitude you're interested in. Internet mentions -173 C ... +127 C. NASA moon temperature map:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lro-gal-diviner.html

 

Metals expand and shrink with temperature. So, you should look up specific material thermal expansion table. It must be taken into account even in human-made on the Earth buildings and constructions like e.g. bridges, because of variation of temperature in winter and summer.

I was just thinking of permanent effects TBH,

1 hour ago, StringJunky said:

I was just thinking of permanent effects TBH,

Damage to structure of construction due to repeated heating and cooling can be permanent.

3 minutes ago, Sensei said:

Damage to structure of construction due to repeated heating and cooling can be permanent.

I meant within the metal itself but, yes, a variable thermal environment will likely loosen things in a structure.