They are now hoping to synthesise the alloy and test its properties

Scientists used computer modelling to find a material that melts at 4,126°C

alloy used to make Wolverine's claws in the X-Men comics

The material could be a candidate for creating a real-life version of the

A new material with a higher melting point than any other known substance has been invented by scientists.

The exotic alloy, which is a combination of the rare metal hafnium, carbon and nitrogen, would only begin to melt into a liquid at temperatures of more than 4,126°C (7,460°F) - two thirds the temperature of the surface of the sun.

The extreme melting point makes the metal a candidate for creating a real-life version of adamantium – the almost indestructible fictional metal used to make Wolverine's claws in the X-Men comics.

Scientists have invented a new material they say has the highest melting point of any known material. They calculate it would melt at 4,400 degrees Kelvin (4,126°C). This property would make it a strong candidate for replicating the fictional metal adamantium used to make Wolverine's claws in X-Men, pictured above

Scientists develop the new material using computer simulations to calculate the optimal composition that would give the material its record breaking melting point.

The researchers are now hoping to synthesise the material and to test its properties in the laboratory.

CHEMISTRY OF VALYRIAN STEEL SWORDS IN GAME OF THRONES In Game of Thrones, the secret to forging super-light and strong Valyrian steel swords was said to have been lost with the Doom of Valyria. But, despite its fictional basis, a scientist has investigated whether it would be possible to make a similar weapon using bona fide chemistry. By studying the composition of modern steel, welding techniques and assessing all the characteristics of Valyrian steel, he concludes it isn't a steel at all, but instead is a metal matrix composite. The conclusions were made by materials scientist Ryan Consell in a video for Washington-based American Chemical Society. He suggests the best possible match might be materials that have a metallic framework embedded with ceramics. Mr Consell said: 'One of these could provide all of the extreme characteristics needed for Valyrian steel. 'A titanium silicon carbide might be the perfect fit. 'It has the strength, weight and colour needed for Valyrian steel and if the matrix wasn’t perfectly consistent, it might have swirls of grey running through the blade.' Advertisement

Professor Axel van de Walle, an engineer at Brown University, Rhode Island, who led the research, said: 'The advantage of starting with the computational approach is we can try lots of different combinations very cheaply and find ones that might be worth experimenting with in the lab.

'Otherwise we'd just be shooting in the dark. Now we know we have something that's worth a try.'

Until the scientists have successfully synthesised the new alloy and tested its melting point, the record for highest melting point will remain with a substance made using hafnium, tantalum and carbon (Hf-N-C), which melts at a temperature 3,526°C.

The researchers calculated the formula for the new alloy (Hf-N-C) by simulating the physical processes that occur at the atomic level when a substance melts.

They started by analysing the properties of the Hf-Ta-C material and then looked for compounds that might maximise those further.

They found Hf-Ta-C combined a high heat of fusion – the energy absorbed or released when it transforms from solid to liquid – and low differences in disorder of the atoms, or entropy, as a solid or liquid.

Most metals require high temperatures to melt because they have stable molecular structures that require a lot of energy to break. The behaviour of the atoms as a liquid also determines this melting point.

They found their Hf-N-C alloy would absorb similar amounts of energy when it melted but had a smaller difference between the in the entropy between a solid and liquid.

They worked out its melting point would be 474°C higher than Hf-Ta-C.

Professor van de Walle and Dr Qijun Hong, who also took part in the research, say their research could help develop new types of heat shields on spacecraft or be used in gas turbines.

The new material would be made from the rare metal hafnium along with small amounts of carbon and nitrogen, giving it the chemical formula shown above. This would have the highest melting point yet to be discovered

Most metals require high temperatures to melt because they have stable molecular structures that require a lot of energy to break. The behaviour of the atoms as a liquid also determines this melting point. Shown above is an image of molten metal at a foundry

However, they caution that the exact uses of Hf-N-C will be unclear until they can test its other properties. They are working with researchers at the University of California, Davis, to synthesise the compound.

Professor van de Walle added: Melting point isn't the only property that's important [in material applications.

'You would need to consider things like mechanical properties and oxidation resistance and all sorts of other properties.

'So taking those things into account you may want to mix other things with this that might lower the melting point.

'But since you're already starting so high, you have more leeway to adjust other properties. So I think this gives people an idea of what can be done.'