The MCU movies have introduced two super metals, Adamantium and Vibranium, to audiences. However, which material is actually stronger?
Vibranium is a resource that embodies the power of the kingdoms of Wakanda and Talokan. Meanwhile, Adamantium is known as the material that makes up Wolverine’s claws, a deadly weapon.
Both are among the strongest metals ever brought to the screen by Marvel Studios. They are invaluable assets that various factions will kill for in competition.
Vibranium
First appearing in Captain America: The First Avenger, Vibranium was introduced by Howard Stark as a material of extraterrestrial origin. It wasn’t until Black Panther that audiences gained a deeper understanding of this metal.
Historically, a large meteorite full of Vibranium fell to Earth millions of years ago. The radiation it emitted transformed local flora and fauna, creating the Heart-Shaped Herb, which grants the Black Panther superhuman abilities.
According to Marvelfandom, if refined correctly through a combination of magic and science, Vibranium can amplify mystical energy. Its ability to absorb almost limitless energy makes it a perfect weapon in the right hands. If someone can master the technique of using magically charged Vibranium, they will become incredibly powerful.
As a rare metal, Vibranium is harder than steel and nearly indestructible, as any physical damage is negated at the molecular level. It can absorb various physical impacts; bullets leave no damage, and it can even withstand punches from the Hulk or blows from Thor’s hammer.
Vibranium also possesses super elasticity. This allows Captain America’s shield to bounce back after being thrown. Moreover, this metal can be crafted to integrate with architecture, clothing, weapons, and other items, serving as a source of magical energy.
Black Panther and the vibranium suit. (Image: Marvel Studios).
However, Vibranium does have some minor limitations. Its durability has certain limits. Energy from the Mind Stone on Vision’s forehead, combined with Iron Man’s repulsor rays and the lightning from Mjolnir, can melt the outer layer of Vibranium.
Scarlet Witch can also manipulate and destroy this material using her powers. In Avengers: Endgame, Thanos’s double-edged sword was able to break Captain America’s shield. Additionally, this material is unstable when transported at high speeds.
Vibranium in its nano form is also vulnerable to sound devices. In the final battle scene of Black Panther, sound technology was able to weaken Vibranium and even distort the suits of T’Challa and Killmonger.
Adamantium
Adamantium appears in comics and films as a synthetic alloy. It has several variations in the comics, with the earliest forms being a hybrid metal with Vibranium used to create Captain America’s shield. However, there is only one version of Adamantium in the films.
According to Marvel, Adamantium is most malleable when heated and in a liquid state. Once hardened, it can withstand most forms of physical shock. Additionally, it is bulletproof and can cut through other metals, except for Cap’s shield.
William Stryker in the X-Men series developed it and used it in experiments on Wolverine. While it helped turn Wolverine into an almost immortal “weapon,” it also diminished his self-healing abilities, forcing him to confront various ailments.
In addition to Wolverine’s skeleton and claws, Adamantium is also the material that makes up Ultron’s armor, the claws of Sabretooth, X-23, and Lady Deathstrike, as well as the Silver Samurai robot created by Yashida Ichirō in The Wolverine (2013).
Like Vibranium, Adamantium is not perfect. It is quite sensitive to Magneto’s metal manipulation abilities. He can even bend it to his will. In The Wolverine, the superheated blade of Silver Samurai was able to slice through all six of Logan’s claws. This shows that while Adamantium is harder than Vibranium, it can still be destroyed.
Wolverine’s Adamantium skeleton and claws. (Image: 20th Century Fox).
Therefore, Vibranium can be said to be “on par” with Adamantium when compared on a scale. If Adamantium has the edge in hardness, Vibranium has advantages in flexibility and versatility. While Adamantium is weakened by heat, Vibranium is countered by sound.
Nonetheless, if a battle were to erupt between Black Panther (representing Vibranium) and Wolverine (representing Adamantium), the odds would favor Wolverine significantly. This is because Vibranium is nearly useless against Wolverine’s immortal body.
