There are many types of properties that can be used to describe all materials (except the weird ones) :
Ductile (Brittle, Hard) Hard (Soft)
Strong (weak) Malleable (brittle)
One such material is Silica ceramics : http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/ShuttleTPS2-colored.png
These have super – ordinary abilities to dissatipate heat.