Dummies' Guide to Material Science
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This text serves as a comprehensive overview to Materials Science. It is detailed but by no means exhaustive of all potential methods and projects. At the time of writing, all information in this book is correct. However, over time, the information may become out of date. Please see the footnote for additional reading.
Materials Science: What is it, Where is it, and Why is it?
The field of Materials Science is long studied and long storied. To detail precisely the extensive history of this field would require a tome all on its own, and we will instead focus not on what has been done in the field, but what there is yet to do.
An aspiring metallurgist requires a suitable workshop in which they can create and refine alloys. Recommended for this line of work are:
- Nano-Crucible - a large cuboid forge that melts two materials and reforms them as an alloyed bar
- Slag Shovel - used for removing slag buildup from impurities removed in the refining process. Modern Nano-Crucibles filter impurities with more accuracy and so the old practice of slag shovelling has fallen by the wayside.
- Material Processer - a machine with a rectangular surface and two clamps to hold bars of alloys in place; used to process raw ores and gems into more workable ingots
- Nano-Fabricator - the machine with two upright arms embedded with lasers that precisely cut and mold materials into pre-loaded schematics
- Nano-Fabricator schematics describe needing either metal alloys, fabrics, rubber, or crystals, but it is possible for a single bar of alloyed material to possess all the properties needed for a schematic to begin working
- You can store and view your stored materials under the “Storage” tab
- You can automatically store projects you make in the Nano-Fabricator by setting output to the Nano-Fabricator under the “Settings” tab
- Material Analyzer - a green handheld device that reports information of a material including electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, hardness, density and others. See "An Index of Properties and Their Effects" section below.
- Arc Electroplater - a machine that allows for you to place a material in an electrolyte bath and then place an object into the bath to transfer the electrolyzed material to the surface of the object.
- This allows for transfer of material properties to objects you cannot make through the Nano-Fabricator. Particularly of interest in thermo-electric systems.
The reasons for partaking in metallurgy are numerous and varied. You can, for example, create new types of walls and floorings with high reflectivity for defense from energy projectiles, which might be desirable in sensitive areas like an AI Core.
You may have an interest in producing infused jumpsuits that actively release small amounts of healing chemicals to patients who need long-term and intensive medical care (please consult with licensed medical professionals if you are considering implementing this).
You can generate more protective spacewear for when you are working on highly dangerous projects outside of the station. Materials Science is infinitely useful.
An Index of Properties and their Effects
This section shows the different properties or materials that are of interest to us and how they affect our materials, and some primary materials for each property. Please see the footnote for an appendix on how these properties are rated.
- Radioactivity - higher radiation output means a higher recharge rate, but also higher radiation damage to those handling or around these materials.
- (ex.: Cerenkite, Erebite, Koshmarite)
- Electrical Conductivity - ability of material to let electricity pass through it; more conductive materials make for better reservoirs for energy storage in batteries.
- (ex.: Copper, Claretine, Electrum)
- Thermal Conductivity - ability of material to transfer heat through it with little loss of energy; more insulating materials do better at keeping heat within which can be advantageous for creating temperature differentials.
- (ex.: Carbon Nanofiber, Fibrilith, Space spider silk)
- (ex.: Starstone, Carbon Nanofiber, Hauntium)
- Density - blunt force of the material; sturdiness and ability to impact other materials when used in tools.
- (ex.: Viscerite, Plasmasteel, Starstone)
- Hardness - blunt force of the material; sturdiness and ability to impact other materials when used in tools.
- (ex.: Koshmarite, Dyneema, Starstone)
- Flammability - how combustible a material is.
- (ex.: Char, Plasmastone)
- Chemical Resistance - how well a material resists acids and chemicals passing through it
- (ex.: Viscerite, Dyneema)
- Reflectivity - the albedo of the material and how much light is bounced off the surface of it.
- (ex.: Syreline, Starstone, Telecrystal)
Basic Ores and Their Properties
Below is a list of all the basic ores that are common to asteroids in this sector, as well as their particular properties that are of interest for Materials Science. See Appendix II for material classifications. The properties in full and in order are Radioactivity, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness, Density, Flammability, Corrosion Resistance, Permeability, and Reflectivity.
Advanced Materials and Their Properties
These are additional useful materials and their relative properties. The properties in full and in order are Radioactivity, Electrical Conductivity, Thermal Conductivity, Hardness, Density, Flammability, Corrosion Resistance, Permeability, and Reflectivity.
| Ore | Radioactivity | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bohrum | 0 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Cerenkite | 5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Char | 0 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Claretine | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Cobryl | 0 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Erebite | 8 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Fibrilith | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Gold | 0 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Ice | 0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Koshmarite | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Mauxite | 0 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Miraclium | RANDOM | RANDOM | RANDOM | RANDOM | RANDOM | RANDOM | RANDOM | RANDOM |
| Molitz | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Molitz Beta | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Pharosium | 0 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Plasmastone | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| Rock | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Starstone | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Syreline | 0 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Telecrystal | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Uqill | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Viscerite | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Gem | Quality | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amethyst | Clear | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Diamond | Clear | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Emerald | Clear | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Ruby | Clear | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Sapphire | Clear | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Topaz | Clear | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Garnet | Flawed | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Jasper | Flawed | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Lapis Lazuli | Flawed | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Malachite | Flawed | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Peridot | Flawed | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Aquamarine | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Citrine | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Iolite | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Jade | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Onyx | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Quartz | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Rose Quartz | Inferior | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Organic Material | Radioactivity | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo | 0 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Beeswax | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Bone | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Blob (Amoeba) | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Butt | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Cardboard | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Chitin | 0 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Coral | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Ectoplasm | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Flesh | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Frozen Fart | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Hamburgris | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Honey | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Pizza | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Wood | 0 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fabric | Radioactivity | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Wool | 0 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Brullbar Hide | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Carbon Nanofiber | 0 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Cotton | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Dyneema | 0 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Ectofibre | 3 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Hauntium | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| King Brullbar Hide | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Leather | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Spider Silk | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Synthleather | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Metal | Radioactivity | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Iridium Alloy | 0 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Neutronium | 0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Negative Matter | 0 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Silver | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Slag | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Spacelag | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Crystal | Radioactivity | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanted Amethyst | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Enchanted Emerald | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Enchanted Quartz | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Enchanted Ruby | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Enchanted Sapphire | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Enchanted Topaz | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Glass | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Gnesis | 0 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Transclucent Gnesis | 0 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Transparent Uqill | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
Alloyed Materials and Their Properties
This section contains different common and particular alloyed materials and the properties they possess that are of interest for Materials Science. The exact manner by which most of these can be made can be found at the references in the footnote.
The properties in full and in order are Radioactivity, Neutron Radiation, Electrical Conductivity, Thermal Conductivity, hardness, Density, Flammability, Corrosion Resistance, Permeability, and Reflectivity.
| Alloy | Radioactivity | Electrical Conductivity | Thermal Conductivity | Hardness | Density | Flammability | Chemical Resistance | Reflectivity | Combination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyneema | 0 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Spidersilk + Carbonfiber |
| Electrum | 0 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Gold + Cobryl |
| Hauntium | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | Soulsteel + Koshmarite |
| Neutronium | 0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Secret |
| Plasma Glass | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | Plasmastone + Glass |
| Plasma Steel | 0 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Plasma + Steel |
| Soulsteel | 0 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Ectoplasm + Steel |
| Steel | 0 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Mauxite + Char |
| Synthleather | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | Latex + Cotton |
Alloying
Alloying is done in the Nano-Crucible using processed materials. When you alloy two materials together, the stats of the created alloy is an average of the two progenitor materials. So, if you were looking to create a dense material and you alloyed Plasma Steel (density 75) with Viscerite (density 65), the resulting alloy would have a density of 70.
However, if one material being alloyed lacks a certain property (indicated in the table by an "n/a"), then it will simply inherit the full value of the material that does have the stat.
When you alloy a material, the material passes on any unique properties to the resulting alloy.
Two additional notes on how Melee Damage Protection and Ranged Damage Protection are determined on wearables. Melee Damage Protection is equal to the density of the material the piece is made from divided by 13.
Ranged Damage Protection is equal to (material density divided by 13) divided by 10, and then 0.2 is added to the resulting number.
So if you had a Plasma Steel alloy at 70 density, it would provide 5 Melee Damage Protection (70/13 = 5.3) when made into a wearable, and 0.7 Ranged Damage Protection (0.5+0.2) when made into a wearable.
You can directly transfer the stats of a material to an object by putting the material in the Arc Electroplater and then putting the desired object in with the plating. This process takes a few moments, and results in an object that is plated in and has the properties of your material.
Enchanting
Enchanting is done using rare magical crystals that can be alloyed with other materials and then made into an item or used to plate an item in the Arc Electroplater. When used on a non-wearable item, three additional damage of whatever the primary damage type is gets added.
When used on a wearable item, three additional armor is added to the item when it is worn, though the stats on the armor itself do not reflect this.
Infusing
As a final note, one can infuse a chemical into a material through an infusion process that utilizes starstone, and then use the material to go on and create more items in the Nano-Fabricator. These items then continuously dose the wearer or holder of the item with the chemical that was infused into the parent material.
Footnote
For further information, ask for mentor help or consult Nanotrasen's on-line data-base at:
Thank you for your service to Nanotrasen.
Appendix I.
Ratings of various properties.
Radioactivity
- 0-1 -- Slightly Radioactive
- 1-2 -- Somewhat Radioactive
- 2 to 4 -- Radioactive
- 4 to 6 -- Very Radioactive
- 6 to 8 -- Extremely Radioactive
- 9-10 -- Impossibly Radioactive
Electrical Conductivity
- 0-1 -- Highly insulating (low conductivity)
- 1-2 -- Insulating
- 2 to 4 -- Slightly insulating
- 4 to 6 -- Slightly conductive
- 6 to 8 -- Conductive
- 9 -- Highly conductive
- 10 -- Extremely conductive
Thermal Conductivity
- 0-1 -- Very temperature-resistant (low conductivity)
- 1-2 -- Temperature-resistant
- 2-4 -- Slightly temperature-resistant
- 4-6 -- Slightly thermally-conductive
- 6-8 -- Thermally-conductive
- 8-9 -- Highly thermally-conductive
- 9-10 -- Extremely thermally-conductive
Hardness
- 0-1 -- Very soft (low hardness)
- 1-2 -- Soft
- 2-4 -- Slightly soft
- 4-6 -- Slightly hard
- 6-8 -- Hard
- 9-10 -- Very hard (high hardness)
Density
- 0-1 -- Very light (low density)
- 1-2 -- Light
- 2-4 -- Somewhat light
- 4-6 -- Somewhat dense
- 6-8 -- Dense
- 9-10 -- Very dense
Flammability
- 0-1 -- Very fireproof (low flammability)
- 1-2 -- Fireproof
- 2-4 -- Slightly fireproof
- 4-6 -- Slightly flammable
- 6-8 -- Flammable
- 9-10 -- Very Flammable
Chemical Resistance
- 0-1 -- Very corroded/permeable (low resistance)
- 1-2 -- Corrodable and permeable
- 2-4 -- Slightly corroded/permaple
- 4-6 -- Slightly corrosion-resistant/resistant to chemicals
- 6-8 -- Chemical-resistant
- 9-10 -- Very chemical-resistant
Reflectivity
- 0-1 -- Very dull (low reflectivity)
- 1-2 -- Dull
- 2-4 -- Slightly dull
- 4-6 -- Slightly reflective
- 6-8 -- Reflective
- 9-10 -- Very reflective
Appendix II.
Classifications of different material groups
Metal
- Chitin
- Cobryl
- Copper
- Coral
- Electrum
- Gold
- Hauntium
- Iridium
- Plasmasteel
- Slag
- Spacelag
- Soulsteel
- Syreline
Sturdy Metal
- Cerenkite
- Iridium
- Mauxite
- Pharosium
- Rock
- Slag
- Steel
Dense Metal
- Bohrum
- Iridium
- Gnesis
- Plasmasteel
- Translucent Gnesis
Crystal
- Blob (Amoeba)
- Claretine
- Coral
- Erebite
- Fibrilith
- Gemstone
- Gensis
- Glass
- Ice
- Koshmarite
- Miraclium
- Pizza
- Plasmastone
- Telecrystal
- Translucent Gnesis
High Density Crystalline Matter
- Molitz
- Molitz Beta
Extraordinarily Dense Crystalline Matter
- Neutronium
- Starstone
- Uqill
Reflective Material
- Gnesis
- Gold
- Koshmarite
- Translucent Gnesis
Conductive Material
- Carbon Nanofiber
- Cerenkite
- Copper
- Ectofiber
- Erebite
- Gold
- Ice
- Plasmastone
High Energy Conductor
- Claretine
- Electrum
- Gnesis
- Translucent Gnesis
Power Source
- Cerenkite
- Ectofiber
- Erebite
- Hauntium
- Neutronium
- Plasmastone
- Telecrystal
- Soulsteel
Fabric/Cloth
- Bee Wool
- Blob (Amoeba)
- Carbon Nanofiber
- Char
- Coral
- Cotton
- Dyneema
- Ectofiber
- Fibrilith
- Hauntium
- Koshmarite
- Leather
- Space Spider Silk
- Synthleather
- Brullbar Hide
Organic
- Bamboo
- Beeswa
- Blob (Amoeba)
- Bone
- Char
- Chitin
- Frozen Fart
- Hamburgris
- Honey
- Koshmarite
- Pizza
- Space Spider Silk
- Viscerite
- Wood
Rubber
- Latex
- Synthrubber
- Synthblubber
Insulative Material
- Fibrilith