Can you compress metal and what would be the consequences?

Following my mutant thread, I'd like some insight on one of them.

I wrote this first generation highly powerful mutant whose ability revolves around metal.

(Context, skippable if you're only here for the scientific part)

For the context, a group of first-gen mutants got together, and seeing their power could loosely represent the greek pantheon, they decided to spin their super-identity around the concept. The metal bender is Hephaïstos.

The mutant in question, on top of being extremely strong, can "shrink" (and un-shrink) metal, while making it retains its mass. He creates several tons oversized weapons, then shrink them and use them in combat.

(Some more skippable context)

To be precise, he shrinks them until they're bauble-sized, wears (litteral) tons of them, and un-shrink them/seize them appropriately when needed. (Needless to say, Hephaïstos is buffed)

From my basic understanding of physics, you could theoretically accomplish that by forcing atoms to stick closer to each other. The process would increase the density (so mass is conserved) and produce a lower volume - equal weight object.

I'd like to know if it is theoretically plausible and if so, what would be the consequences:

1. Would the object keep the same composition? (I.e. Iron keeps being iron, and does not become uranium)
2. Would the object retains its weight?
3. Would it affect the object durability in any way?

Thanks for pointing out any mistakes in the reasoning or the consequences, and please excuse any misuse of physical terms (I'll be happy to correct if you point it out). The exact process by which atoms are forced to stick closer to each other is the hand-waved part.

posted about 5 years ago

Nyakouai‭

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