10 Strongest Metals in Marvel Universe (Ranked)

Many Marvel characters are almost indestructible, and the metal in their possession (or their bodies) is often the reason why. So now you may wonder what are the strongest metals in the Marvel Comics fictional universe. We’ve already discussed two of them, but it’s time to introduce the rest!

The list won’t be overly long, but it will be detailed, and you’ll be able to fully experience the marvelous (pun intended) world of Marvel’s metals! We shall start the list with the weakest metal, eventually advancing to the strongest one!

10. Organic Steel

Organic Steel is a very interesting metal. Technically speaking, it’s not a real metallic substance since it doesn’t occur naturally or outside the body of some mutants. It is a metallic substance that occurs naturally in the bodies of certain mutants and gives them more endurance, turning their bodies into metal. By far, the most famous example of such a mutant is Colossus. It is now known how this mutation works, but the resulting “alloy” could be described as regular human skin being covered by a flexible metallic layer that increases the mutated character’s endurance and strength.

Organic Steel does a lot for the mutant; it helps him withstand impacts from large caliber bullets, falls from great heights, collisions with large vehicles moving very fast, and even massive explosions. This shows that Organic Steel is truly strong because non-superhuman characters wouldn’t be able to withstand such force, and Colossus, who is undoubtedly strong, draws all his powers – both defensive and offensive – from the Organic Steel in his body.

He doesn’t have any other superpowers, nor would he be superpowered without his mutation, which is a good reference point for this substance’s real strength. If it makes Colossus that powerful, it must be strong, right?

Well, the answer is both yes and no. When compared to regular, natural metals, Organic Steel is significantly stronger. This is why Colossus doesn’t have issues with materials and elements occurring naturally around him. Still, he is far from undefeatable, and several instances have shown that he can be both defeated and broken, torn, and whatnot. Any stronger metal (i.e., any metal from our list other than this one) can generally pierce Organic Steel and Colossus has been sliced open on several occasions, as well as had his limbs broken by his opponents.

Sometimes he bleeds energy, sometimes he bleeds blood, but whatever comes out of him (we’re not being intentionally weird), we can see that Organic Steel doesn’t really do much against other fictional metals.

9. Galactic Glaze

Galactic Glaze, as it is called, is another mysterious metallic substance. It appears as the material from which the Silver Surfer’s Board is created, but also as the substance that covers the Surfer’s body. It is of cosmic origin, and Galactus created it.

Galactic Gaze is made out of unknown materials, and it was initially used to create the board, but it was later used to cover the heralds of Galactus. Galactic Glaze is extremely strong and makes the Herald and the Board immune to all forms of physical damage, increasing their strength.

As we’ve said, the exact materials that Galactus used to create the Board are unknown, but it is known that he imbued the Board with the Power Cosmic, a very powerful cosmic force. The Power Cosmic gives the Board and the Herald their powers and also makes them invulnerable to physical damage. So, we can say that the Galactic Glaze is actually more energy (Power Cosmic) than tangible materials because it is the Power Cosmic that gives it its powers and attributes.

In that aspect, we can even assume that Galactic Glaze is not a metal per se, but a very special “alloy” or “mix” of tangible metals and pure energy. Still, due to its appearance and the majority perception, we decided to put it on our list of the strongest metals in the Marvel Universe. Galactic Glaze is certainly stronger than Organic Steel (every other metal is), but it is quite debatable as to its strength when compared to the other metals on this list.

8. Carbonadium

Carbonadium is a fictional metal that was created in the Soviet Union during the Cold War area. The Soviets wanted to manufacture adamantium, but they couldn’t exactly replicate the procedure, so they got a “cheaper” version, which they called Carbonadium. Carbonadium doesn’t have the same attributes as adamantium, but it comes relatively close and is much cheaper to produce.

When the Soviets produced carbonadium, they got a much stronger metal than regular steel, but it wasn’t as strong as “true” adamantium. The alloy was very resilient, though, and it was – at the time – perceived to be nearly indestructible. A negative aspect of Carbonadium is that it is radioactive; the radioactivity of Carbonadium enabled it to neutralize the healing factor of certain characters, but it was also very toxic.

In order to stop the negative side effects of the radioactivity, one would need a Carbonadium Synthesizer, which is quite rare and difficult to find. Carbonadium has been part of the armor and arsenal of several characters, mostly supervillains. It is a good metal to use when not dealing with stronger metals, and since it’s very close to “true” adamantium, it can also become quite a dangerous weapon if used correctly.

7. Vibranium

Unlike adamantium, vibranium is not an alloy but an actual fictional metal from the Marvel fictional universe. It first appeared in Daredevil #13 (1966), written by Stan Lee and illustrated by John Romita Sr. Along with adamantium, it is one of the most famous fictional metals. Vibranium is a very strange metallic element with very peculiar properties. It is usually defined as a metal that absorbs, stores, and releases large amounts of kinetic energy.

The comics revealed that vibranium came to Earth via a meteorite that landed on the planet 10,000 years ago. Today, “true” vibranium is mined and present only in the region of Wakanda, but there are several variations of the primary metal (see below). Vibranium is very and thus very, very valuable.

The most common variety of vibranium is Wakandan vibranium, found and mined in the African nation of Wakanda. This metal can absorb, store, and release large amounts of kinetic energy, which is very useful in combat. There are limits to how much energy it can absorb.

It can be manipulated and used with other materials and metals, but it is also very dangerous and can cause much damage if it explodes. It is also a powerful mutagen – a lot of Wakandan people have gone through certain mutations after being exposed to it, but it also changed flora and fauna – and is believed to increase mystical energies.

When we talk about vibranium in general, we usually talk about regular Wakandan vibranium, which is why this metal comes before adamantium on our list. But this is also why we have distinguished regular Wakandan vibranium from Anti-Metal, which is going to be analyzed in one of the following sections. Vibranium definitely is stronger than all the metals we’ve mentioned so far, but the regular variant just doesn’t get any stronger than this.

6. Adamantium

The etymology of the word “adamantium” is quite interesting. Namely, the word itself is a pseudo-Latin neologism (real Latin: adamans, from original Greek ἀδάμας [=indomitable]; adamant [Latin accusative]) based on the English noun and adjective adamant (and the derived adjective adamantine) combined with the neo-Latin suffix “-ium”, common in the nomenclature of chemical elements.

Adamantium is an alloy, which means it has to be molded using different components, which are usually kept separate (typically in blocks of resin) before the whole procedure. The blocks are melted together and mixed while waiting for the resin to completely evaporate. You then have a total of eight minutes to mold it.

The molecular structure of adamantium is so strong that once it’s molded (or after eight minutes), you cannot mold it or change it again, even if you manage to keep the temperature so high that it stays liquid. It is also very durable and can last for aeons, as the adamantium skull Wolverine once discovered in Apocalypse’s laboratory suggests.

In its solid form, it is described as a dark, shiny grey, like high-grade steel or titanium. It is extremely strong and is practically indestructible when in its solid form. It can penetrate through most materials with minimal force, which is why it is an excellent weapon.

A stronger version of the ally is present in the Ultimate Marvel series, while a lesser version – called “secondary adamantium” – is present in the main continuity. It is actually a less durable version of “true” adamantium that has some of its qualities but can be destroyed with enough force.

We have already concluded that “true” adamantium is stronger than vibranium, but this is why we have separated two distinct types of vibranium, since one is stronger than “true” adamantium, while the other is significantly weaker.

5. Anti-Metal

The second variety of vibranium is Antarctic vibranium, also known as Anti-Metal. This was the first variety of vibranium discovered by humans. Anti-metal is much stronger, and it has the ability to cut through the molecular structure of other materials, which is why it is such a potent weapon. It is likewise a powerful mutagen.

Anti-Metal, through a means that is not understood, emanates vibrations that cause the atomic and molecular bonds in nearby metals of other kinds to weaken, which results in the liquefaction of nearby solid metals, including very strong alloys such as adamantium. This type of vibranium also produces protective counter vibrations which can throw off sonic attacks; its unique properties can also be used to create dimensional apertures to other realities with the right vibrational attunement.

Anti-Metal is a very specific metal and is certainly one of the strongest readily available and relatively common metals in the Marvel fictional universe. It is quite dangerous and can harm even the most resilient characters. It is certainly stronger than both “true” adamantium and “regular” vibranium, but we might ponder on whether it would really melt Organic Steel or Galactic Glaze. Certainly, it would be stronger, but it would be interesting to see how that strength would manifest itself.

While it is largely theoretical practice, it is possible to transform Wakandan vibranium into Anti-Metal. A fraction of the sacred mound of Wakandan vibranium was converted to Anti-Metal by particle bombardment, i.e., by alternating the differentiating isotope that separates Wakandan vibranium from Anti-Metal. Still, this procedure is highly risky and might cause an explosive reaction that would destroy a big chunk of the planet.

4. Adamantine

Adamantine is actually a divine version of adamantium, often referred to as the “Metal of the Gods.” It is golden in color and has several mystical properties, such as preventing both psychic and magical influences, as well as deflecting massive blasts of concussive energy.

Adamantine has been used in Ancient Greece, and a lot of the weapons, tools, and armor from that time have been made from adamantine. It was exceptionally durable and an alloy that was able to withstand practically all kinds of attacks. How exactly it came to be is still unknown, but its exceptional properties are well-documented.

Along with its extreme durability to different types of physical attacks, its power, and its mystical properties, adamantine is nigh-indestructible and is practically immune to any changes, even on the molecular level (unless you know how to forge it properly). This means that it is resistant to even Anti-Metal, which is known to melt “true” adamantium.

As for its position on the list, the godly metal is certainly stronger than “true” adamantium – it is even said that adamantium was created when an alchemist tried to produce adamantine but ended up with a good but still weaker variant of the metal – and it is also resistant to Anti-Metal, which means that we had to put it here.

3. The Unknown Metal of the Muramasa Blade

As the title says, we actually don’t know which metal Muramasa used when he created his two blades. We just know that they are unbelievably strong.

Muramasa was an immortal madman and a legendary and feared swordsmith and swordsman who lived in Japan and was known for forging two extremely powerful blades. The first blade was many centuries old and possessed a variety of mystical properties in and of itself, as well as those it granted to its wielders; it was commonly known as the Black Blade. The second Muramasa Blade was the one wielded by Wolverine after he recovered his memories.

No one really knows how Muramasa forged his two swords, but it is known that they had a very powerful element in them – the wielder’s soul. Namely, both the first and the second Muramasa blades were forges using a piece of the owner’s soul – Muramasa’s (first) and Wolverine’s (second). This gave the sword additional powers and attributes, making it even stronger.

While its durability is a question of debate, it is known that the Muramasa Blade can – technically – slice through any substance or metal. It is certainly stronger than all the preceding metals, and it can slice through metals that have previously been perceived as indestructible. There is also a theorized “plasmic form,” which would allow the blade to slice through substances on a molecular level. 

2. Uru

Uru is a cosmic metal said to have been around since the creation of the universe. It stems from the first moon in existence and it is believed to be “endemic” to Nidavellir, one of the Nine Realms. Uru is an extremely powerful metal, and it should come as no surprise that it was used in forging Thor’s Hammer (Mjolnir). Despite being a metal, it has a rocky appearance. It also absorbs and stores energy and magic.

Uru is highly durable and retains enchantments very well. The appearance of the Uru metallic ore has two forms – the first being “metallic gold” (Gungnir, Stormbreaker) and the second being a luster that has been described as “badly wrought iron” (Mjolnir). When Uru is enchanted, it becomes much more durable. Its ductility is unknown. Uru is very resistant to damage, but there is no known instance of Uru being drawn into wire. However, one thing known is that the more magic there is, the stronger it will be.

Uru is non-sparking and is a highly immalleable metal, often requiring extreme methods to forge it (for example, the heart of a star, or an enchanted forge). Albeit very difficult to forge, weapons and items made from Uru, especially enchanted ones, are resilient to most forms of damage, which accounts for their resilience.

The main property of Uru, as discovered by Tony Stark, is its natural affinity to magic. There is also a symbiotic relationship between Uru and its wielder that works both ways.

1. Proto-Adamantium

Proto-Adamantium is the strongest metal in the Marvel fictional universe. Still, despite this status, the material of which Captain America’s Shield is made is still a big mystery in the narrative continuity of Marvel’s stories.

It is known that proto-adamantium is actually a mix of “true” adamantium and Wakandan vibranium, which shouldn’t actually work that well together. It is assumed that the unknown catalyst/X-factor in the mixture must have caused a chemical-molecular reaction between vibranium and adamantium. That process must have converted the iron alloy into proto-adamantium and, at the same time, allowed the vibranium to fuse.

We don’t know much more about the alloy, but we do know that there is nothing stronger when it comes to known metals in Marvel’s fictional universe.

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