Iridium Steel

A primarily iron alloy, the presence of carbon, iridium, and other elements means that it has an incredible tensile strength for its weight and a high melting point. It is one of the most corrosion-resistant alloys in the known universe and can take centuries to rust. Its appearance is a white-silver metal. Its production is limited by the extreme temperatures needed to smelt it and the rarity of iridium used in the process.
Its primary usage is in construction of skyscrapers, starships, and exosuits, where it lends itself well to high stress and lightweight structures. It is considered a status symbol to use Iridium Steel in something that does not require it, such as cuff-links, jewellery, and kitchenware.
The primary manufacturer and user is the Sumnian Republic, who were also the first to capitalise on its usage, although they were not the first to discover the alloy.

Properties

Material Characteristics

A shiny white/silver metal, eventually tarnishes to red rust.

Physical & Chemical Properties

High tensile strength
High corrosion resistance including at high temperature
Moderate electrical conductivity
High thermal conductivity
Low density with respect to comparable alloys

Compounds

Is itself a compound of Steel and Iridium.

Geology & Geography

Materials are found in the core of most terrestrial planets, with trace elements on the surface.
Commonly found in larger quantities on airless moons and asteroids.

Origin & Source

Iridium is commonly found as an impurity in veins of heavy metals like platinum.

Life & Expiration

Stable

History & Usage

History

Discovered in the late 2300s by scientists experimenting with the newly available iridium. It alongside other iridium alloys would see limited use until the 3590s when new mining techniques on low-gravity worlds were pioneered by the Sumnian republic would allow greater quantities of iridium to be made available.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Possession and superfluous usage of iridium steel like kitchenware and jewellery is a status symbol, akin to diamond rings and napoleon's aluminium cutlery.

Industrial Use

Used for building high stress, low density structures like skyscrapers, exosuits, and starships. Its cost prohibits more common use.

Refinement

Iridium is found as impurities in other heavy metals, and is separated using chlorine to make a salt solution and collecting it as slag.
To refine Iron and Iridium together to make iridium steel, extreme temperatures exceeding twentyfive hundred degrees are required, with exact amounts of Carbon and other elements are added to create the alloy. Industrial scale furnaces are usually used in a continuous process.

Byproducts & Sideproducts

As a byproduct of the mining process there are considerable amounts of osmium, palladium, platinum, and gold, that are not used in the refining process. These elements are highly prized in themselves and are used to make circuit-boards, catalytic converters, and pen nibs.

Hazards

Iridium steel is mostly unreactive, but when ground into a powder can be extremely flammable, cutting the metal is done by continuously blowing carbon dioxide why sawing, or cutting it in an oxygen-deprived environment.

Environmental Impact

Iridium is so unreactive there are less than 20 parts per trillion in any living tissue, and poses no environmental hazard.

Reusability & Recycling

Recycling Iridium steel is of top priority, and is simply done by reprocessing the iridium out and reforging the steel. All major producers pay good money to acquire recyclable Iridium Steel.

Type

Metal

Taste

Coppery, like blood.

Color

Silvery white

Boiling / Condensation Point

2500 degrees celcius

Density

13.54 g/cm3

Common State

Solid