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Many of these "metal to metal" comparisons are in danger of combustion because of hot air being freely circulated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />


If it makes you feel better, I too have a PhD in MatSci, so I am not totally talking out of my, umm ear. But I have found that in the world of matsci, often practical experience (which you definitely have more of than me, I just do fundamental research) outweighs degrees when it comes to practical matters such as these. Just glad to have another metal-head on the boards.