Mitteraudmetalle

Mitteraudmetalle is not a term that appears in standard metallurgical, mineralogical or glossary references. The combination of elements in the word is ambiguous: “mitte” or “mitte-” could imply a middle or intermediate category, while “A u” hints at gold (chemical symbol Au) and “Metalle” simply means metals. Because there is no established definition, the term lacks a precise scope and guidance for its use.

Possible interpretations include a misspelling or variant of other terms. One plausible reading is mittelalterliche Metalle, i.e., metals used in the Middle Ages. In medieval metallurgy, common metals were iron and steel for tools and weapons, copper and bronze for coinage and fittings, tin and lead for various alloys and trades, with gold and silver reserved for jewelry and currency. Techniques of that period included bloomery smelting for iron, basic open furnaces for copper and bronze, and early alloying to produce bronze (copper-tin) and steel.

Another possible interpretation is a nonstandard or brand-specific label for a group of metals with intermediate properties, such as a non-precious or “middle-tier” category. In practice, technical literature typically segments metals into well-defined groups (base metals, noble metals, light metals, heavy metals), and uses established terms rather than ad hoc labels like mitteraudmetalle.

If encountered in a text, it is advisable to consult the source for the intended meaning or context. Related concepts include Edelmetalle (precious metals), base metals, and medieval metallurgy.