14 DAY TRIAL // As we wait for a new season of the fantasy epic “Game of Thrones” to premiere, some more patiently than others, let's take a few minutes to consider the science behind Valyrian steel, the material that the absolute best and most sought-after swords in Westeros are made from.
Better said, let's sit back, relax and watch chemistry enthusiast Ryan Consell try to figure out what the recipe for Valyrian steel might include.
As explained by this material scientist, steel is basically an alloy, meaning a combination of a metal and several other elements. The two chief ingredients in steel are iron and carbon, with the latter being added in concentrations of up to 2%.
Valyrian steel is described as light, durable, dark in color, and the best material that ever was when it comes to forging super sharp blades. The thing is that, apparently, neither of the steels known to mankind fits all these properties.
For this reason, Ryan Consell suspects that the famed Valyrian steel isn't steel after all, but a so-called metal matrix composite, which the scientist describes as a material that has a metallic framework embedded with ceramics.
Since such metal matrix composites aren't all that easy to make, even with all the technology we have at our disposal in this day and age, chances are the making of Valyrian steel does, in fact, involve some magic.
