Damascus steel, Part II: Origin of the damask pattern

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 UTC 1987 · Metallography; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0026-0800(87)90027-9· OSTI ID:6114363

Verhoeven, J D; Jones, L L

A study was carried out to evaluate the role of the impurity elements found Damascus steels on the origin of the cementite (Cm) particles that produce the characteristics pattern of Damascus blade. It is shown that the high phosphorous (P) impurity levels of Damascus steels could have controlled the mechanism of Cm formation. Experiments on small steel castings with impurity compositions matching that of Damascus steels reveal that the P between impurity content produces two significant effects: it results in formation of primary Cm between austenite dendrites upon solidification that could lead to the damask pattern of the final sword; and it causes a graphitization of Cm on certain heat-treat cycles, which destroys the damask pattern. The origin of the Cm particles in casting and forgoing a Damasus steel blade is discussed in view of these results.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering and Ames Lab.-USDOE, Ames, IA 50011
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• OSTI ID: 6114363
• Journal Information: Metallography; (United States), Journal Name: Metallography; (United States) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 20:2; ISSN MEIJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101 -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
360102* -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
ALLOYS
AUSTENITE
CARBIDES
CARBON ADDITIONS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CASTING
CEMENTITE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALS
DENDRITES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
FORGING
HEAT TREATMENTS
IMPURITIES
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
IRON CARBIDES
IRON COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS WORKING
METALLURGICAL EFFECTS
NONMETALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOSPHORUS
PLATES
REVIEWS
SOLIDIFICATION
STEELS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS