metalmetal

Metalmetal is a term used in speculative materials science and science fiction to describe a hypothetical metallic phase characterized by a dual-lattice or interpenetrating metallic networks. In most interpretations, metalmetal is imagined as either an intermetallic compound consisting of two distinct metal sublattices or a layered metamaterial where two metals form a coherent, alternating structure at the atomic scale. The concept is often employed as a thought experiment to explore the limits of alloy design and the nature of metallic bonding.

In proposed models, metalmetal would exhibit a combination of high strength and good toughness, along with unusually high stiffness and, in some versions, enhanced resistance to corrosion and wear. The dual lattice structure is hypothesized to impede dislocation motion and distribute stress more evenly than conventional single-phase metals. Thermal and electrical conductivities are treated variably in different narratives, ranging from highly conductive to anisotropic or even reduced in certain directions.

Synthesis of metalmetal, as described in fictional or hypothetical contexts, would require non-equilibrium processing, extreme pressures, or novel deposition techniques that promote stable coexistence of two metallic networks. No practical route exists in real-world metallurgy to produce a material that matches the standard descriptions of metalmetal, and it remains primarily a theoretical or narrative construct.

In literature and conceptual discussions, metalmetal serves to illustrate themes in materials science such as phase compatibility, lattice matching, and the trade-offs between strength, ductility, and manufacturability. See also intermetallics, high-entropy alloys, metamaterials.