Adamantium metal is one of the most famous materials ever described in Marvel comics. Its unique qualities provided the amazing abilities of many superheroes of the universe, and also significantly affected the outcome of the struggle of the light forces against the forces of evil.
What is adamantium?
Adamantium (English adamantium) - a nonexistent substance belonging to the category of metal alloys. He gained wide popularity after the creators of the character of Wolverine decided that the claws of the hero will be made of adamantium. The material itself, as well as its chemical composition and useful properties, was invented by the writer Roy Thomas, according to whose notes the artists Barry Windsor-Smith and Sid Shors created the original concept of the appearance of adamantium, the most durable metal in the world.
The material did not immediately become popular in the series of comic books about superheroes, however, after the appearance of such a character as Wolverine, the "demand" of the material increased significantly.
Also, thanks to the adamantium that appeared at the time, the developers of the Marvel universe began to pay much more attention to various types of metal, as a result of which there was a metal vibranium, the popularity of which came from the legendary shield of Captain America.
However, it still remains a mystery - what is stronger - adamantium or vibranium?
Etymology
A philological legend was invented for the term “adamantium” by Marvel Comics, demonstrating the emergence of a concept from the supposedly ancient Latin word adamant, which denoted a particularly hard kind of diamond. Later, the term received a new pseudo-Latin pronunciation - adamans / adamantiem, from which the English analogue was formed.
In this case, the phenomenon of a language game is observed, since in English there is a real adjective adamantine, which means "hardness of diamond" in Russian translation. From this adjective the adamantly adverb is formed, which means "decidedly firm, unshakable." In a sense, the forerunners of the emergence of adamantium and its prototypes can be called the metal “mithrill” from the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien “The Lord of the Rings”, as well as material called “adamantine steel” from the movie “ Forbidden Planet. "
Mining and production
Adamantium is one of the most precious metals in the Marvel comic book universe. It is mined in special mines, where it is contained in rock in extremely small quantities. The collected and cleaned material is placed in special blocks made of hard resin. Each such unit holds a limited amount of metal.
To make any product from a large amount of adamantium, the blocks are remelted into a single mass. In the process of mixing, the resin evaporates, and the adamantium acquires a uniform consistency. The alloy retains its liquid state for eight minutes, after which it solidifies forever in the shape given to it.
The properties
The molecular structure and state of aggregation of the metal have one important feature - the impossibility of changing the formation or deformation after the adoption of the final final form.
In its consistency, the solid form of adamantium is similar to titanium or steel, the color range of the metal varies from dark gray to silver gray, depending on the type of alloy.
In its solid state of aggregation, adamantium is practically not subject to deformation or destruction.
The alloy has an incredibly high density and strength, and with strong pressure it does not go into an elastic state, withstanding absolutely any load.
Scope of use
Throughout the history of the Marvel comic book universe, adamantium has repeatedly become the key material, the basis for the manufacture of a super-suit of a hero, or the reason for this or that character to have superpowers.
For example, the outer shell of the electronic mind - Ultron - was made of a solid alloy of adamantium. Superhero Logan received a new skeleton and claws made from the original alloy adamantium. Mutant Lady Mortal Strike, similar to Wolverine, also received adamantium skeletons and claws, but a weaker metal alloy was used to make them.
Wolverine
One of the main "popularizers" of adamantium as a metal, as well as the "discoverer on itself" of its wonderful properties in comic book series, was James "Logan" Howlett, also known as Wolverine. Joining the X-Men and becoming a member of their organization, Wolverine received an adamantium skeleton and new adamantium claws, which made him almost invulnerable. He learned what adamantium is , thanks to the tragic circumstances in his personal life.
The adamantine blades of his claws easily cut the edged weapons of enemies, household items, elements of military equipment and industrial buildings, which significantly facilitated Logan's existence, as well as the conduct of hostilities.
Adamantium bullet
According to one theory, an organism with adamantium in it can be destroyed with the help of an adamantium weapon, in particular, an adamantium bullet. However, in practice, this theory was refuted by Logan, who received severe injuries and received several bullets from adamantium, but not only survived, but fully recovered as soon as possible. That's what adamantium really is! This metal also has incredible resistance to foreign bodies, even if made of alloys similar to it.
Ultimate marvel
The version of adamantium described in the comics of the Ultimate Marvel series is a thinner and weaker alloy based on the original adamantium alloy. A significant difference between the new version of the metal is its ability to protect the brain from telepathic effects and foreign penetration into the mental structure.
The version of adamantium from the Ultimate Marvel comic book series is more fragile, and there are many moments in the series where objects or parts of the bodies of superheroes made from adamantium break down.
Vivid examples of such situations are episodes in which the superhero Hulk breaks a needle made of adamantium, or a situation in which a character named Sabretooth, having learned what a new type of adamantium is, breaks Wolverine's claw.