After the Beta2a patch, a new form of armor is unlocked called Superior Duranthium. You get this armor with the same tech as Duranthium III, but it damage absorbtion is twise as high (making it ywise as effective). Although the cost of a unit is 20bc highter, on average it is cheaper for protection/cost.

I.M.H.O This armor is way unbalanced. It allowed me to construct a spaceship which singlehandled killed several Yor fleets witout a scatch.