Phantom Iron
Properties
Material Characteristics
Pale, translucent ore seen only at certain angles that fades in and out of visibility, as though slipping between planes of existence. Appears whitish in sollight and bluish in moonlight, invisible when in neither. Has a magical conductivity rating of 9 out of 10.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Phantom Iron is always cool to the touch even when smelting making handling of the material exceptionally easy. Even when alloyed with other metals, it remains cool and transfers these properties to other materials it bonds with.
Compounds
Phantom Iron has little-to-no use by itself aside from aesthetic purposes but is widely used to provide its cooling and color-shifting and invisible properties to other metals.
Geology & Geography
Found in the Eclipse Hollows of Ebonora, Phantom Iron exists partially out of phase with the material plane. The ore is most easily found during full moons, requiring miners to synchronize expeditions with celestial events.
History & Usage
Discovery
Phantom Iron was discovered in 6755 when miners responding to a cave-in were blocked from excavation by a barrier they could not see or interact with. Mining tools refused to pass through what appeared to be a ventilation shaft but was revealed in the morning to be a vein of undiscovered, color-shifting ore.
Industrial Use
Phantom Iron is regarded as useless unless alloyed with other metals, typically other iron, steel or Tinverium and can be found in everyday construction application such as hulls, support bars, cookery, counterweights, and decorative panels and flooring. Due to its unique properties, it is often found in high-heat areas as a natural coolant requiring no energy but is also commonly used in architectural designs for its transparency, giving structures floating sections during specific lunar events.
Refinement
Phantom Iron's refinement process is identical to iron, including the same malleability and carbon content.
Reusability & Recycling
Phantom Iron suffers considerable loss when re-smelted but retains its characteristics making recycled material desirable for visual application that don't rely on strength.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Phantom Iron is commonly sold in bulk by the ton with intercontinental shipping conducted exclusively by the Blackaxel Cartel.
Type
Ore
Value
1 gold per gram
Rarity
Common
Color
translucent white or blue
Melting / Freezing Point
3700° T
Density
540 lb/ft³