Adamantium

Adamantium is a fictional metal alloy that appears in Marvel Comics and related media. It is portrayed as one of the most durable substances in the Marvel Universe, renowned for its near-indestructibility and its ability to resist most forms of damage. The material is closely associated with the Weapon X program and various implants used on characters throughout Marvel storylines.

Origin and composition are intentionally vague and vary by writer. In the primary Marvel narrative, adamantium was created by Dr. Myron MacLain during experiments intended to forge vibranium; a mishap produced a new alloy that could not be reliably reproduced. Because its exact recipe is treated as a closely guarded secret within the fictional universe, different continuities offer slightly different explanations for how adamantium is made and how it can be manipulated.

Properties attributed to adamantium typically include extreme hardness, high density, and resistance to heat, cold, and corrosion. It is described as virtually unforgeable by conventional methods, with shaping or bonding often requiring exotic processes or rare materials. In many stories, adamantium is shown as being capable of being bonded to bone or used to create weapons and armor that resist ordinary damage.

Notable uses include the bonding of adamantium to a character’s skeleton and claws, most famously in Wolverine, whose bones and claws are rendered unbreakable. Other characters have received adamantium implants or weaponry, though these instances vary across runs of comics, films, and other media.

Due to its central role in many arcs, adamantium has multiple continuity variants, sometimes referred to as true or secondary adamantium, with differences in durability and workability across storylines.