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Cheaper metal for pennies?

I am a senior ad my teacher asked me to find a cheaper metal to use in a penny, I was wondering if the government could save money by doing so? and what metal might they use that's strong, but cheaper than copper and zinc?

Seth E
student - Anchorage, Alaska
2007

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Well, pure zinc would be less costly than copper plated zinc, and steel would be less expensive still. Game arcades use aluminum because it's cheap. Hopefully, being a senior, you will do some serious research into the implications of the changing of the materials, like magnetism issues, corrosion, weight, etc., and make it a bang-up investigation into the issue. So far it sounds lame for a 3rd grader :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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The question is actually a intensive one to answer.

Prices on metals fluctuate. You can check out sites like www.kitcometals.com/ to get LME prices. Then you could also look into things like manufacturing costs. For example, aluminum is cheaper than copper but it also work hardens and easily become brittle. On the other hand,it has less density and could be cheaper to ship.

Homer N.
Automotive - Troy, Michigan, USA
January 8, 2008

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January 11, 2008

Dear Seth,

Plastic

Regards,

Dr. Thomas H. Cook
Galvanizing Consultant - Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA

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Since we already have Lincoln on the face of the $5 bill, why don't we dismiss the pennies all together? The only thing pennies are good for these days are for the jingles in your pants. Happy New Year everyone!

Michael Liu Taylor
specialty stainless steel distributor - Dallas, Texas
January 15, 2008

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There have been rumors for years that they weren't going to be making any more pennies, but they still do. Who knows why. I give all of my change to the kids and they won't take the pennies. Spoiled brats.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
January 17, 2008