The Role of Pattern‐Welding in Historical Swords—Mechanical Testing of Materials Used in Their Manufacture |
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Authors: | A Thiele J Ho?ek P Kucypera L Dévényi |
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Institution: | 1. Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Budapest, Hungary;2. Institute of Archaeology of the AS CR, Prague 1, Czech Republic;3. Nicolaus Copernicus University, Institute of Archaeology, Toruń, Poland |
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Abstract: | Pattern‐welding is a well‐known technique that was widely employed in the manufacture of swords. While the decorative effect of genuine pattern‐welding (employing phosphoric iron) is indisputable, to date its reinforcing effect is rather unclear. In order to understand this issue better, wrought iron, phosphoric iron, steel and various pattern‐welded samples were prepared and mechanically tested, and the results obtained are discussed in detail. Both the mechanical testing and the long‐term metallographic investigation of medieval swords suggest that pattern‐welding does not have any significant positive effect on the mechanical properties of swords and we should consider it a primarily decorative technique. |
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Keywords: | pattern‐welding sword blade phosphoric iron mechanical testing Middle Ages |
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