Materials
Materials are raw materials that can be found on the surfaces of planets and moons.
Material sources can be located by use of the Wave Scanner of an SRV. When they are shot with the Scarab SRV's dual plasma repeater they explode into chunks of Materials, which can be scooped using the SRV's Cargo Scoop.
The types of these materials vary depending on the geology of the body, the type of world it is and where it is situated. As well as natural formations of these materials some can be found (and indeed, in some cases, unique to) special sources. Meteorites can be found and blasted to reveal materials. There are also more mysterious sources as well to be found.
Materials do not take up space in Cargo Racks.[1] Instead, they are tiny samples carried by the pilot. This means they remain available when switching between vehicles, and in the case of vehicle destruction they are also saved by the pilot's escape system. The maximum that can be carried at once is 300.
Synthesis
Crafting
In a future expansion during the Elite Dangerous: Horizons season, materials will also be used in a crafting system.