Latent Steel

Latent Steel is a strange resource. First, let's cover the basics; it is not steel. This is a colloquial name. It's scientific name is Crohnium- named after Dr. Tiberius Crohn, inventor of the Spike Drive. Discovered an unknown period of time into the expansion through space, "Latent Steel" is a chemical that not only exhibits a strength equivalent to an Iron-Titanium Alloy - but that is, for whatever reason, extremely malleable when used in Psychic-Operated Pre-Tech Manufactures. While those are a little rarer now, the material still stands as a useful metal for star ship construction due to it's extreme strength.
When used in a proper factory, however, this material can be used for uncountable things; the Asan government, for instance, uses it to make extremely precise focusing and generation equipment for their weapon systems. Paladia uses the material to create incredibly sophisticated Artificial Intelligence brains, which are widely used in many of the planet's infrastructure systems; the bus, trains, and aircraft being the notable cases.

Properties

Material Characteristics

This material, when mined, is grey-brown in appearance. The surface is matte in colour, appearing rather dark when viewed due to the low reflective index.

Physical & Chemical Properties

This material is extremely stable. The only case in which it acts malleable is when exposed to psionic energy, of which it resonates with so precisely that you can manipulate it to the atomic levels. This allows macro structures to be constructed extremely accurately, which is key to many pretech technologies.

Geology & Geography

This material has been found around words around heavily radioactive stars. Research *was* ongoing into how this material originated, however this was cut short by The Scream. Some information is rumored to exist, however it's location is not known, and is rumored to be floating aboard a research vessel between the stars.

History & Usage

History

Once Humanity had spread to the stars, this quickly became a component of the most complex machines - eventually, it was found almost everywhere, from the most powerful of Spike Drives to the linings of the Warp Gates themselves.
After The Scream, it was initially re-used as a building material. This would later evolve back to a state similar to it's previous use, but restricted by virtue of knowledge.

Cultural Significance and Usage

For some, this material holds value as an image of the Pre-Tech World. This is rare, however, and is primarily just an idea held in passing.

Industrial Use

For use, this metal simply requires purification and molding.

Refinement

This metal is extremely easy to refine, as it is typically found pure - barring stone - and is heavier than the material. It is possible to refine it simply through melting, and skimming the surface, adding the top-most layer of the metal to the next batch to ensure quality.

Chr

Type

Metal

Value

This material markets within the range of the 500 Credits per Kilogram.

Rarity

Rare

Odor

This Material is odorless, as it releases no atoms to the air.

Taste

This material is tasteless, as there is no break-off or reaction with the tongue.

Color

Grey-Brown.

Boiling / Condensation Point

6,321 Degrees Celcius

Melting / Freezing Point

4,008 Degrees Celcius

Common State

Solid