Why Is The Captain America Shield Indestructible?

Comic book fans first saw the Captain America shield in the first issue of "Captain America's Comics" in March of 1941. Though most people remember the super hero's round shield, this one was shaped like a kite. However, in the the second issue in April of 1941, its shape was switched to a round shield, after a rival comic book publisher, MLJ complained that it was too similar to the triangular weapon that their hero "The Shield" used. Since then, Captain America uses his classic circular shield both as a powerful weapon and for defense.

The Captain America shield is unique because it is made of an indestructible alloy. The shield is a metal disc that is approximately about 2 feet in diameter. It is convex with both a handle for the arm and for the hand inside it. It is made of a material called "vibranium-iron", although from time to time the shield was also reported to be made of a substance referred to as "adamantium-vibranium".

The "vibranium" in the shield gives it unusual properties. Its most common feature was that it could be thrown in a room and ricochet off several objects with little or no loss of impact or speed. However, it also could withstand blows from almost any weapon and absorb all the kinetic force of the impact.

A fictional American metallurgist, Dr. Myron MacLain was commissioned by the US government to make an indestructible armor metal to help the war effort. He experimented with "vibranium", an alien metal found only in "Wakanda", and discovered it possessed a rare ability to absorb vibrations.

As Dr. MacLain developed his armor, he attempted to blend vibranium with an experimental iron alloy.

While MacLain was working, he fell asleep and awoke to find his experiment was successful. Yet, because an unknown catalyst was added as he slept, Dr. MacLain could not reproduce his result. His vibranium-iron mix was then poured into the shape of a tank's top hatch that created the disc form. Finally, it was painted with Captain America's symbol.

Later one comic book issue, Captain America awakens from suspended animation and to find out that Tony Stark added to the shield electronic and magnetic components that provides Captain America with flight control. Yet, Captain America removes the extra components after he realizes they disrupt the balance of the shield when it is thrown, which maintains its defensive abilities.

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