Polyalloy

• Substance formed through molecular assembly of a singular metallic alloy to orient the internal grain into long polymer-like chains
  • Presumptive per name
  • Resulting structure provides much greater durability against forces parallel to the chains, and greater flexibility against other forces (TNG: "The Chase")
    • However, given grain alignment, fractures in the material can propagate much further than otherwise (TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
      • Generally useful only at smaller scales or individual components as a result
        • Presumptive given general lack of usage
  • Starfleet hull panels are constructed of polyalloy, each rotated orthogonally to its neighbors to limit damage propagation (TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
    • Not referenced by name, but description of panels is essentially identical
  • Sometimes used in high-speed interstellar probes to reduce acceleration/deceleration material stress (VOY: "Dreadnought")