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<p>This study investigates a fourteenth-century sword from Kondapalli, India, revealing advanced ancient Indian metallurgical practices associated with crucible steels like Wootz. Optical emission spectrometry confirmed the blade as hypereutectoid steel (1.02 wt.% C), enriched with elements such as Si, Ni, P, and V. Multi-scale characterization (XRD, SEM, EPMA, and optical microscopy) revealed ferrite–cementite microstructures with distinct cementite bands aligned with microvoids containing silica-rich slag. Elemental segregation around these features suggests deliberate thermomechanical processing. The blade exhibited high hardness (~550–625 HV), while the ferritic hilt remained significantly softer (~158 HV), indicating functional material differentiation. The granular cementite morphology and selective coarsening, likely influenced by alloying elements, point to repeated forging cycles. These findings highlight sophisticated control over forging temperatures, deformation, and cooling, underscoring the metallurgical expertise of ancient Indian blacksmiths in optimizing performance through structural and compositional tuning.</p>

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Beyond the Blade: A Microstructural Investigation of an Ancient Indian Steel Sword

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月28日

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  • Arun Kumar Patro,
  • Kolli Venkatesh,
  • Shashishekhar Prajapati,
  • Trinath Talapaneni,
  • Prince Kumar Singh,
  • Avala Lavakumar

摘要

This study investigates a fourteenth-century sword from Kondapalli, India, revealing advanced ancient Indian metallurgical practices associated with crucible steels like Wootz. Optical emission spectrometry confirmed the blade as hypereutectoid steel (1.02 wt.% C), enriched with elements such as Si, Ni, P, and V. Multi-scale characterization (XRD, SEM, EPMA, and optical microscopy) revealed ferrite–cementite microstructures with distinct cementite bands aligned with microvoids containing silica-rich slag. Elemental segregation around these features suggests deliberate thermomechanical processing. The blade exhibited high hardness (~550–625 HV), while the ferritic hilt remained significantly softer (~158 HV), indicating functional material differentiation. The granular cementite morphology and selective coarsening, likely influenced by alloying elements, point to repeated forging cycles. These findings highlight sophisticated control over forging temperatures, deformation, and cooling, underscoring the metallurgical expertise of ancient Indian blacksmiths in optimizing performance through structural and compositional tuning.