threetine

Threetine is a fictional mineral that appears in speculative geology and science fiction, and it is not recognized by any real-world mineralogical databases. It is usually described as a rare, high-value material with extraordinary properties that make it a focal point in adventure and technothriller narratives.

Name and conception vary across works, but threetine is commonly linked to the idea of three principal components or three distinct bonding motifs. Some authors depict it as an intermetallic compound of three metals, others as a complex tri-oxide or a mixed-phase mineral. Because there is no canonical formula or uniform definition, descriptions of threetine differ between stories and reference works.

Physical properties attributed to threetine in fiction are diverse but share certain themes. It is often portrayed as dense and metallic, with a luster ranging from steel blue to dark gray. Reported hardness on the Mohs scale typically falls in the high range, and its density is described as substantial, sometimes between 7.0 and 8.5 g/cm3. Crystals are frequently depicted as prismatic or hexagonal, and the material is said to resist high temperatures and corrosion, while being susceptible to sudden thermal shock. Its stability under pressure is commonly highlighted, though exact phase behavior varies by narrative.

Occurrence and extraction in stories place threetine in remote or perilous settings, such as deep crustal pockets, meteorite remnants, or forbidden planetary mines. Mining and refining are portrayed as technologically advanced and costly, elevating threetine to strategic value and a driver of geopolitical tension within the fiction.

Applications in fictional contexts range from ultra-durable alloys and energy storage to plasma containment and shielding. The material serves as a plot device to explore scarcity, technological ethics, and the race to secure rare resources.