Rogue One, the latest movie in the Star Wars franchise, is currently in theaters and many moviegoers have enjoyed diving back into the action-packed, droid-filled, lightsaber-swinging universe. Because the franchise has spanned movies, books, and TV shows for decades, the details that have been created to bring the stories to life are nothing short of spectacular.
In addition to a host of planets, species, and robots, Star Wars also created fictional metals that can be found on various worlds. Extreme fans may know about the metals’ origins, uses, and even mining techniques. Let’s explore some of the most popular metals created by the Star Wars franchise in more detail.
- Beskar: Also known as Mandalorian iron, beskar is found on Mandalore and its moon, Concordia. The metal is durable and exceptionally strong, with the ability to withstand blows from a lightsaber. Beskar’s natural strength is amplified during the forging process, using techniques that are known only to Mandalorian metalsmiths, who will not reveal their secrets to outsiders for any price. It is used to make Mandalorian armor, various weapons (including lightsaber hilts), handheld shields, and starships.
- Carbonite: Perhaps best known for the trapping of Han Solo by Darth Vader, carbonite is a liquid made from carbon gas that could be made solid through rapid freezing. Carbon-freezing is used to encase goods for preservation and for putting people into a state of hibernation, which was used for long voyages across space before the invention of hyperdrive. Some mining droids are also made out of carbonite because of its heat-resistant properties.
- Phrik: Mined on Gromas, phrik is a rare, nearly indestructible metallic compound. It’s so durable that a container of the metal was able to stay intact on Alderaan when the planet was blown up by the Death Star. Phrik is used to make lightweight, durable battle armor, along with various melee weapons and lightsaber hilts. However, the metal is very expensive and so its use in warfare is limited.
- Cortosis: This rare ore is found energized in its unrefined state, capable of killing anyone who touches it with bare skin. After refining, cortosis becomes a fibrous material with conductive properties capable of shorting out lightsabers upon contact. Its main use is to make shadowtrooper armor, but it’s woven into other types of body armor as well. Cortosis is also used in the manufacture of melee weapons and certain types of battle droids. Additionally, the Imperial Palace walls are lined with cortosis ore for protection.
- Songsteel: This lightweight, luminescent silver metal is used to make swords and staves. Songsteel is generally reserved for high-class weapons because of how tedious it is to forge and shape. Similar to phrik and cortosis, songsteel is also resistant to lightsaber strikes, making it an ideal choice for weaponry.
It’s impressive that a fictional world has been able to fabricate details so intricate, they’re almost tangible. That’s a big reason why the franchise has such a massive following, with more big-budget movies scheduled to be released over the next several years. Fans all over our world are eagerly awaiting the chance to learn more about the many worlds that Star Wars has created.
With so many characters and worlds in the Star Wars universe, not every fan knows every single detail out there. What is your favorite fact or tidbit from the franchise that others may not be familiar with?
