Coltan is the colloquial name for columbite-tantalite, a metallic ore used to produce the elements niobium and tantalum. The endoskeletons of advanced Terminator machines are made using alloys derived from a half percentage of coltan to make them hardened to heat. ^[1]Zeira Corporation owns 7% of the Earth's Coltan reserves.

T-600 Terminators were made of a titanium alloy endoskeleton design, but were vulnerable to heat. Coltan alloys have a much higher melting point, making it a superior alloy for endoskeletons.

History

When John Connor asked, hypothetically, how many Terminators could be built from the shipment of Coltan the trio witnessed, Cameron replied with: "530 endoskeletons". "Heavy Metal"

Later, Cameron sent the shipment dramatically off the edge of a steep cliff into deep waters, preventing those 530 endoskeletons from being manufactured post-Judgment day. She did, however, retain one Coltan rod, perhaps for future repairs of her own endoskeleton. "Heavy Metal"

Notes

• Coltan is known as the blood-metal of Africa and it has incited conflict in the continent during 2008.^[2]
• Coltan, as the key component in endoskeleton alloys, was a concept first introduced in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, though the production team for Terminator Salvation mistook this for canon established in the original movies and therefore included coltan as the alloy for the T-800s in their movie.

Quotes

John: That's coltan; if that's what you're made of, no wonder you're so dense.

Cameron: Not density, heat resistance. T-600 models had a titanium alloy endoskeleton, but it was vulnerable to heat. Coltan alloys have a much higher melting point.

The Sarah Connor Chronicles, "Heavy Metal"

References