Difference between revisions of "Endo Steel"

m
(Removed the rules section)
 
(13 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Update Needed|[[Total Warfare]]}}
+
[[File:Color-mech-components-1.png|right|191px|thumb|Endo Steel Cutaway]]
[[File:Color-mech-components-1.png|right|191px|thumb|Endo Steel Cut-away]]
 
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
Developed by the [[Terran Hegemony]] in [[2487]], '''Endo Steel''' was designed especially for use in [[BattleMech]] skeletons. Using zero-G manufacturing techniques that uniformly mix high-density steel with lower-density titanium and aluminum, the process produces a metal twice as strong per unit of weight as standard skeleton materials thus halving the weight of the chassis, but at an increase in overall bulk ([[Inner Sphere]] Endo Steel takes up 14 critical slots, 7 for [[Clan]]).<ref name="TMp224">''TechManual'', p. 224, "Endo-Stell Internal Structure"</ref><ref name="TRO:2750p12">''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 12, "Endo Steel Internal Structure"</ref><ref name="TRO:3050p224">''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 224, "Endo Steel Internal Structure"</ref>
+
Developed by the [[Terran Hegemony]] as a prototype in [[2471]] and as a refined production version in [[2487]], '''endo steel''' was designed especially for use in [[BattleMech]] skeletons. Using zero-G manufacturing techniques that uniformly mix high-density steel with lower-density titanium and aluminum. Rhenium is also used in this process. The process produces a metal twice as strong per unit of weight as standard skeleton materials thus halving the weight of the chassis, but at an increase in overall bulk ([[Inner Sphere]] endo steel takes up 14 critical slots, 7 for [[Clan]], and prototype endo steel takes up 16).<ref name="TMp224">''TechManual'', p. 224: "Endo-Steel Internal Structure"</ref><ref name="TRO:2750p12">''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 12: "Endo Steel Internal Structure"</ref><ref name="TRO:3050p224">''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 224: "Endo Steel Internal Structure"</ref><ref>''Battle of Tukayyid'', p. 106</ref><ref name=HRW179>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 179: "Endo Steel (ES-P)"</ref><ref name="IOp71">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 71: "Endo Steel-P"</ref>
  
The orbital facilities that produced these weight-saving chassis were prime targets during the [[First Succession War]], rendering the technology extinct in the [[Inner Sphere]] outside of the halls of [[ComStar]] by the [[Second Succession War]].  Thanks to the [[Helm Memory Core]] and examples from the advanced 'Mechs ComStar provided as part of [[Operation Rosebud]], the [[Draconis Combine]] regained the ability to produce Endo Steel by [[3035]] with the other [[Successor State]]s quickly following suit. The Clans however never lost the technology and eventually refined it, halving its bulk compared to [[Star League era]] Endo Steel.<ref name="TMp224"/>
+
The orbital facilities that produced these weight-saving chassis were prime targets during the [[First Succession War]], rendering the technology extinct in the [[Inner Sphere]] outside of the halls of [[ComStar]] by the [[Second Succession War]].  Thanks to the [[Helm Memory Core]] and examples from the advanced 'Mechs ComStar provided as part of [[Operation Rosebud]], the [[Draconis Combine]] regained the ability to produce endo steel by [[3035]] with the other [[Successor State]]s quickly following suit. The Clans however never lost the technology and eventually refined it, halving its bulk compared to [[Star League era]] endo steel.<ref name="TMp224"/>
  
While the weight savings for Endo Steel are greater than those saved by [[Ferro-Fibrous|Ferro-Fibrous armor]], its use is hampered by the extremely low number of orbital factories in existence, significantly driving up costs due to low availability. Further, as it makes up the skeleton of a 'Mech, adding it to existing 'Mechs generally requires lengthy factory level refits, and in general makes field repair more difficult than standard skeletons.
+
While the weight savings for endo steel are greater than those saved by [[ferro-fibrous armor]], its use is hampered by the extremely low number of orbital factories in existence, significantly driving up costs due to low availability. Further, as it makes up the skeleton of a 'Mech, adding it to existing 'Mechs generally requires lengthy factory level refits, and in general makes field repair more difficult than standard skeletons.
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
* The existence of "special mills" producing endo-steel on factory stations is also referenced in ''[[Strategic Operations]]'', on page 137.
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
Line 13: Line 15:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 +
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
 +
* ''[[Interstellar Operations]]''
 +
* ''[[Strategic Operations]]''
 
* ''[[TechManual]]''
 
* ''[[TechManual]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]''
 +
* ''[[Total Warfare]]''
 +
  
 
[[Category: Chassis]]
 
[[Category: Chassis]]
 
[[Category: Technology]]
 
[[Category: Technology]]

Latest revision as of 07:17, 15 October 2022

Endo Steel Cutaway

Description[edit]

Developed by the Terran Hegemony as a prototype in 2471 and as a refined production version in 2487, endo steel was designed especially for use in BattleMech skeletons. Using zero-G manufacturing techniques that uniformly mix high-density steel with lower-density titanium and aluminum. Rhenium is also used in this process. The process produces a metal twice as strong per unit of weight as standard skeleton materials thus halving the weight of the chassis, but at an increase in overall bulk (Inner Sphere endo steel takes up 14 critical slots, 7 for Clan, and prototype endo steel takes up 16).[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The orbital facilities that produced these weight-saving chassis were prime targets during the First Succession War, rendering the technology extinct in the Inner Sphere outside of the halls of ComStar by the Second Succession War. Thanks to the Helm Memory Core and examples from the advanced 'Mechs ComStar provided as part of Operation Rosebud, the Draconis Combine regained the ability to produce endo steel by 3035 with the other Successor States quickly following suit. The Clans however never lost the technology and eventually refined it, halving its bulk compared to Star League era endo steel.[1]

While the weight savings for endo steel are greater than those saved by ferro-fibrous armor, its use is hampered by the extremely low number of orbital factories in existence, significantly driving up costs due to low availability. Further, as it makes up the skeleton of a 'Mech, adding it to existing 'Mechs generally requires lengthy factory level refits, and in general makes field repair more difficult than standard skeletons.

Notes[edit]

  • The existence of "special mills" producing endo-steel on factory stations is also referenced in Strategic Operations, on page 137.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 TechManual, p. 224: "Endo-Steel Internal Structure"
  2. Technical Readout: 2750, p. 12: "Endo Steel Internal Structure"
  3. Technical Readout: 3050, p. 224: "Endo Steel Internal Structure"
  4. Battle of Tukayyid, p. 106
  5. Historical: Reunification War, p. 179: "Endo Steel (ES-P)"
  6. Interstellar Operations, p. 71: "Endo Steel-P"

Bibliography[edit]