![[IMG]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/432031707592654849/432064930804400150/Rubium.png)
Rubium is a ceramic-like metal that is forged to be extremely stiff, never bending or or even dulling until a critical stress point is reached that shatters the rubium into tiny shards and dust like glass. To form any shape with rubium, it must be formed with a mold, cooled, and hardened which exponentially decreases its malleability. Rubium is susceptible to heat, melting and flaking over a hot fire and disintegrating into dry clay-like flakes when ablated with laser or plasma weaponry. In addition, it is a viable replacement for blades; while extremely stiff and therefore lacking the flexibility blades need, it can be specially molded to have the sharpness of a monoatomic edge while still retaining its ability to not dull. Rubium fits into molds fairly well, having nearly no cohesive surface tension when fully molten to a liquid state and is smooth like porcelain while solid, capable of being molded in other forms as well such as via pulling or even through zero-point energy manipulation for more detailed and intricate purposes.
Rubium is particularly useful in scenarios where its durability is required; example of its use include machinery parts that require durable operation, use in some blades for weaponized or industrial use, and as personal armor that is needed to take a single, strong shot before shattering. Given its naturally smooth texture, it is also great at serving as plating meant to redirect projectiles rather than outright block them. Aside from this, it is also quite conductive to electricity while not being overbearingly heavy, making it somewhat of a must-have for electrical applications of any kind. Its combination of moderate weight and hardness also makes it extremely desirable for the modern day mass-production of ammunition, having outperformed lead projectiles long ago.
Rubium is found as an ore of dull-red streaks, flaking easily to heat due to the impurities within the natural ore. The ore is found in high-pressure cold environments, often deep within planets or dwarf planets lacking a molten core. When electrolyzed and heated to extreme temperatures, the impurities vaporize away to leave the molten Rubium behind. The material has a melting point of around 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.
WEIGHT: 0.38 lbs per cubic inch.
DURABILITY: ~8
FLEXIBILITY: Not very flexible at all. Will fragment like Ferozium.
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY: Moderate.
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY: High.
AVERAGE PRICE: 0.02 Px / in^3