The peculiar arrangement of the chromium atoms made the metallic mass hard. The relatively few silver atoms acted as stabilizers of the alloy after it had been temper-hardened, increasing its resistance to the softening effects of long exposure to high temperatures. Already this alloy is at work in industry as welding electrodes, welding tips and in other tasks where high electrical conductivity and heat resistance are essential qualities. Research engineers selected it for the 5,000 years' Marathon against time as the most practicable means of delivering intact a visual record of the present day. Engineers think that it will.
Copper is quite resistant to the attack of sea water seepage from the ocean.
It is particularly so when the situation is such that the products of initial corrosion can accumulate and protect the underlying metal. Cupaloy may be expected to behave equally well in view of laboratory corrosion tests made some time ago. Confidence in Cupaloy's ability to withstand the attacks of time is strengthened by the fact that many copper alloy implements have come down to us from antiquity. In electrolytic reactions with corrosion salts such as iron salts in the soil, copper becomes the anode or positive electrode, and therefore receives deposits instead of being eaten away. The Time Capsule was cast in seven sections and after machining, all segments except the last were screwed together and sealed with an asphalt compound.