What are Daleks made out of?

Dalekanium, also known as Bonded Polycarbide, is the element/metal/material that Dalek casings are made out of. In this video, we are going to discuss the varying sources of information on Dalekanium, as well as discussing the uses of this material and also its alloy form, Metalert.
All footage is the property of the BBC. Music by Marty O'Donnell

[@badwolf9090]

I've seen you manage to navigate your way around complicated and contradictory lore before but I think you did a really good job here!

[@frippp66]

Dalekanium is invincible - except when the plot demands otherwise

[@duncankilburn7612]

Dalekanium is poly-carbide armour, essentially made from 'bucky-ball' polymers. Effectively a sheet formed of 'diamond'. Would be incredibly strong armour.

[@TheOvervoid]

Not 100% Dalek focused but a history of the Thals video would be cool

[@paladinboyd1228]

I always found the addition of shields to be overpowered, Dalekanium was strong enough to make the Daleks a threat while allowing for some chances and methods to fight back. Bastic bullets, high explosives and powerful energy weapons. Grounded the daleks as a threat that was dangerous but manageable if you have the resources which explains how Humanity has had many wars with them and managed to stay alive.

[@TelestoTheBesto]

Imagine if the Doctor had to punch through a wall of Dalekanium in Heaven Sent.

[@antonberkbigler5759]

So an idea I came up with a while ago that has no textual support is that dalekanium is a metamaterial that is able to forcibly maintain the genetic purity of it’s inhabitant mutant, either by having actual dalek DNA as part of the alloy and/or an analogous repeating structure that encoded the dalek genome independently of deoxyribonucleic acid. This aspect of the casing would’ve been disrupted during the episode Dalek of nuwho season 1, with Rose mutating the casing which in turn would force the dalek mutant to have it’s genetics rewritten to match.

[@zombiedalekweck2243]

You should definitely do a video on the wildlife of Skaro since Skaro is REALLY diverse in it's biosphere. It's surprising. Yet, it does make sense, though. The Daleks probably place higher value on Skaro's life than other life. Plus, the Daleks have a habit of sitting in their cities and not really doing much with the vast majority of Skaro. Which sorta allows Skaro's life to run free and evolve. Also alot of life appears to be inside of Skaro, in it's complex catacombs under the surface of the planet. Plus, sorta like Africa, where humanity evolved, alot of the life on Skaro has probably evolved to live alongside the Daleks. I mean on two occasions they were kicked off Skaro by the Thals, so I think that shows you the grip they had on it. I personally think the Daleks have it more for ceremonial and prestige purposes.

[@redjirachi1]

I think that they keep their flora and fauna around as a resource. Daleks are still biological, they still need stuff like food even if intravenously. Plus their hatred is towards other races; regular animals and plants probably don't trigger their biogtry

[@zombiedalekweck2243]

@redjirachi1 Yeah, that too. Imagine they still place a twisted sense of bigotry on animals, probably viewing Skaro life as superior.

[@Endermite645]

I like to belive dalekanuim is a materal that is natrual only to skaro but can be replaceted to still effective but less strong version using other metals which is what i belive metlart is truely pure dalekanuim which is why daleks can still be built on other worlds as the metal is fools gold equvlant

[@JRHainsworth]

I'd be surprised if Unit or other earth based groups hadn't made use of Dalekanium, given how many dalek casings have been left on earth over the years. Jast, They and Sec's casings were all abandoned in New York.

[@MURDERPILLOW.]

Well, we know what its not. Carboards out, so is paper, not string not cellotape.

[@59rlmccormack]

Nice coverage of a sci-fi material.

[@TheWhovinerd-1963]

I believe that dalekanium Is a natural metal found on skaro but is not found in large quantities, so like we do in the real world they bond the dalekanium with other powerful metals found on neighbouring planets to create the Dalek casing. Then they use a machine which replicates the materials which they need to build their ships, casings and weaponry. While Metalert is reserved for high ranking Daleks due to its rarity and it may also be used in high ranking Dalek flag ships such as the Emperor’s. I think other species caught on that dalekanium could also be used against the Daleks as powerful explosives or even a weakness for their casings. We know that dalekanium is vulnerable to extreme cold temperatures and certain energy weapons/bullets. This is why I think the Daleks created the shields during the time war. To make it even harder for enemies to kill them at point blank range. Xx

[@matteomascaropennacchi2220]

I hope this mega gets explored again in next Doctor who series

[@silverdaleks1]

Also, in the Chase, we saw that flame throwers from the mechanoids could destroy dalek casings

[@thechonkbrothers2267]

You know, I always thought that Dalekanium was somewhat combustible, given how much they seem to explode. You’d think they’d have developed something new so that their casings wouldn’t explode so easily when the Doctor comes to stop them.

[@cronchyskull]

I often think about how, if the Daleks weren't evil, Dalekanium and other Dalek technologies could be infinitely useful. For example, they are shown to be able to detect minute changes in a human body e.g. raised pulse, brain wave patterns. It would be amazing for medicine. It's like the irl irony that huge technological advancement is often made during war. Makes you think (sad thoughts) ☹️

[@chemi169]

What is Dalek Bumps made of

[@PhilDrury]

Worth a lot of grotzits, but machinite might be a bit more durable.

[@user-rbyee]

🎉❤️

[@grahamturner1290]

🐙

[@DrBagPhD]

Honestly thought that bonded polycarbide *was* dalekanium

[@dalekbumps]

I thought so too, but apparently they are different materials. Either that or bonded polycarbide is one of the materials used to make Dalekanium.

[@tobylindsell4276]

Azbantium Daleks? 💎

[@volnartheunforgiving3952]

That's actually sort of a cool idea, probably too heavy and expensive or something, could be used for some sort of emperor Dalek though

[@tobylindsell4276]

@@volnartheunforgiving3952 Although 400 times harder than Diamond, If Azbantium has the same rate of brittleness (Or Even 400 times of Diamond) which it seemingly does as 4.5 billion years of breaking through 20 feet of it with bare fists means it isn't quite as strong as it seems (A powerful enough energy blast could probably bore a hole through that wall within a day)

[@volnartheunforgiving3952]

@@tobylindsell4276 Good point, it does seem that, even if it's to a small extent, it sustains damage and builds it up easily, considering how the Doctor escaped

[@mjsdecember1990]

If dalekanium is so strong what did they use to cut up Dalek Thay

[@legobi_wan_kenobi]

Plotholium shears

[@thedavecorp]

Polycarbite armor.

[@legobi_wan_kenobi]

Incorrect

[@thedavecorp]

@@legobi_wan_kenobi Group Captain Gilmore: What? - Little green men? Doctor 7: No, little green blobs in polycarbite armor.

[@legobi_wan_kenobi]

@@thedavecorp it's "polycarbide", not "polycarbite". Bonded Polycarbide is a synonym for Dalekanium

[@PerovNigma]

Flesh, next question.

[@Xendiyatrix]

Oh completely wrong chap! Daleks are obviously made out of the most high density, well crafted and forged plot armour ever conceived, as well as a strong impenetrable material called Stalinium!