Damascus steel, Part I: Indian wootz steel

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Metallography; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0026-0800(87)90026-7· OSTI ID:5957776

Verhoeven, J D

Available literature on the ancient Indian wootz process for producing the steel believed to have been used in Damascus blades is reviewed. There is uncertainty in the literature as to whether the wootz metal had an as-cast carbon composition of around 1.6% or a composition in the 2.5 to 3.5% range which was then reduced to 1.6% by decarburization. Some arguments are presented which favor the lower as-cast carbon level, and therefore imply that crucible temperatures in the 1400/sup 0/-1450/sup 0/C range must have been achieved in the wootz process.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Lab.-USDOE, Ames, IA 50011
• OSTI ID: 5957776
• Journal Information: Metallography; (United States), Journal Name: Metallography; (United States) Vol. 20:2; ISSN MEIJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101* -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
ALLOYS
CARBON
CASTING
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRUCIBLES
DECARBURIZATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
METALS
NONMETALS
PLATES
REVIEWS
STEELS
SYNTHESIS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE