Nanoweave Armor

Nanoweave is a composite alloy commonly used as armor on naval ships and Battle Suits across the Solar System. Although there are multiple formulations of Nanoweave which specialize in distinct tactical niches, the fundamental characteristics emphasize durability against high energy collisions, a high specific heat capacity and melting point, and lightweightness.

Nanoweave Variants

The three major formulations of Nanoweave alloy seek to enhance a specific property of the material that makes it so valuable.

Standard Nanoweave

Generic Nanoweave armor is a very lightweight material with a respectable specific heat capacity and sturdiness.

Hardened Nanoweave

Nanoweave that has been treated to a slew of chemical baths and refinement processes is called Hardened Nanoweave. This alloy is substantially more heat resistant and can absorb far more energy at the price of its durablity and weight.

Reinforced Nanoweave

Reinforced Nanoweave is also a heavier variant but boasts superior durability and excellent radiative cooling.

History & Usage

History

Nanoweave is a refinement of its precursor Polyweave, an old composite alloy used in spacecraft construction prior to the First Solar War. At the time, Polyweave was considered a breakthrough in materials science as it replaced aluminum-based alloys which constituted most spacecraft hulls.
Lightweight, cheap, and easy to manufacture, Polyweave formed the primary hulls of most colony ships and exploration vessels after the invention of the Laniakea Reactor and was a critical element in humanity's colonial expansion across the Solar System. With the invention of Nanoweave, Polyweave is now used in the hulls of orbital colonies due to its inexpensive nature and ease of production.

Industrial Use

Standard Nanoweave

As the least heavy of the main variants, standard Nanoweave armor is utilized by Battle Suits and ANTs as their primary armor components. Similar spacecraft that prioritize maneuverability such as destroyers and transport shuttles also use Standard Nanoweave armor in their hulls.

Hardened Nanoweave

Since Hardened Nanoweave excels in absorbing energy but lacks durability, they are generally sought after as auxilliary armor plating for capital ships or shields for Battle Suits. Since Laz-weaponry is the most common armament in space, these defenses essentially act as massive heat sinks that absorb Laz-projectiles which protects the main body of the ship or Battle Suit.

Reinforced Nanoweave

Reinforced Nanoweave is the strongest variant of the alloy and comprise the hulls of most Capital Ships in the Solar System. Although the specific heat capacity is lower than the other two alternatives, its ability to rapidly cool, even in a vaccuum environment, helps mitigate its shortcomings. Terrestrial Battle Suits will also use this variant for external armor and shields.

Manufacturing & Products

The term "Nanoweave" refers to the manufacturing process in which microscopic "threads" of various metals and other alloys are woven together on the atomic level. The precise molecular geometry is proprietary to each manufacturer with a finite number of possible structures for each major variant of Nanoweave. Thus, it is highly likely that multiple manufacturers use the same formulation after reaching the conclusion of their research independently.

GKX-102 Green Knight by Sky Sheno

Type

Composite

Color

White

Melting / Freezing Point

5,000°C

Density

4.62g/cm³