VIDEO: Could modern chemistry make Valyrian steel?

April 6, 2015

Credit: American Chemical Society/YouTube

Brett Smith for redOrbit.com @ParkstBrett

With the fifth season of the fantasy epic Game of Thrones is set to begin next Sunday on HBO, the American Chemical Society recently asked the question: Could modern chemistry be used to make the epics legendary Valyrian steel swords?

The magical metal is said to be crafted from dragons fire and ancient magic, but what if you dont have access to either?

In an online video, the ACS Ryan Consell first broke down the characteristics of Valyrian steel based on its description in the show and the George R.R. Martin books on which the show is based.

This super-material is described as being incredibly sharp, light, strong, super-heat resistant and dark in color with very distinct ripple patterns, Consell said. Strength and sharpness is gonna require a bit of a fancy balancing act.

Perhaps a modern supermaterial

Consell went on to say that to hold an edge, metal needs to be very hard. However, the harder a metal is the more brittle it becomes.

For these reasons, I might recommend a spring steel, he said, maybe something with 0.6 percent carbon, and a couple percent silicon and manganese.

Originally posted here:
VIDEO: Could modern chemistry make Valyrian steel?