Steel: Difference between revisions

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'''Steel''' is an alloy of [[iron]] and carbon. Most [[sword]]s and [[armour]] in early [[period]] were not made of steel, but iron, owing to the difficulty of [[blacksmith|forging]] steel. Later period smelting techniques were able to produce good quality steel and in large quantities.
'''Steel''' is an alloy of [[iron]] and carbon. Most [[sword]]s and [[armour]] in early [[period]] were not made of steel, but iron, owing to the difficulty of [[blacksmith|forging]] steel. Later period smelting techniques were able to produce good quality steel and in large quantities.


In [[period]], [[Japan|Japanese]] swords are notable for the quality of their steel as it was produced from poor quality ore. [[Damascus]] and [[Toledo]] blades were also renowned for their quality.
In [[period]], [[Japan|Japanese]] swords are notable for the quality of their steel despite being produced from poor quality (and extremely scare) ore. [[Damascus]] and [[Toledo]] blades were also renowned for their quality.


[[Weapon]]s and armour used in the [[SCA]] can be made of much higher quality steel than [[medieval]] equivalents, since modern manufacturing produces very homgenous steel.
[[Weapon]]s and armour used in the [[SCA]] can be made of much higher quality steel than [[medieval]] equivalents, since modern manufacturing produces very homgenous steel.
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Both steel and [[iron]] will form iron oxide ([[rust]]), which weakens the metal as the rust is water soluble and washes the material away exposing more of the original metal to oxidize. For this reason, period armour was often painted or left covered in [[forge|forgeblack]], rather than being polished. If armour was polished, it needed frequent scouring and oiling to maintain it.
Both steel and [[iron]] will form iron oxide ([[rust]]), which weakens the metal as the rust is water soluble and washes the material away exposing more of the original metal to oxidize. For this reason, period armour was often painted or left covered in [[forge|forgeblack]], rather than being polished. If armour was polished, it needed frequent scouring and oiling to maintain it.


Modern [[stainless steel]] will rust is left in a pool or water or sweat. Modern [[galvanized steel]] turns dark grey or black as the coating oxidises, but doesn't lose any strength as this oxidised coating in insoluble in water. This material was not used in the [[medieval period]].
Plain steel is often called [[mild steel]] by modern metalworkers, and will rust quite quickly if left unoiled. Modern [[stainless steel]] is less prone to oxidization, but will rust if left in a pool or water or sweat. Modern [[galvanized steel]] turns dark grey or black as the coating oxidises, but doesn't lose any strength from this process. Do not hot-work galvanized steel as it produces toxic fumes at high temperatures. Galvanized steel was developed during the industrial revolution and not used in [[period]].


==Steel, Drawing==
==Steel, Drawing==
A term used to indicate that someone drawing a [[blade]]d [[weapon]].
A term used to indicate that someone drawing a [[blade]]d [[weapon]].

See Also: [[live steel]].

[[category:metal]]
[[category:metal]]

Revision as of 15:04, 13 April 2006

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Most swords and armour in early period were not made of steel, but iron, owing to the difficulty of forging steel. Later period smelting techniques were able to produce good quality steel and in large quantities.

In period, Japanese swords are notable for the quality of their steel despite being produced from poor quality (and extremely scare) ore. Damascus and Toledo blades were also renowned for their quality.

Weapons and armour used in the SCA can be made of much higher quality steel than medieval equivalents, since modern manufacturing produces very homgenous steel.

Both steel and iron will form iron oxide (rust), which weakens the metal as the rust is water soluble and washes the material away exposing more of the original metal to oxidize. For this reason, period armour was often painted or left covered in forgeblack, rather than being polished. If armour was polished, it needed frequent scouring and oiling to maintain it.

Plain steel is often called mild steel by modern metalworkers, and will rust quite quickly if left unoiled. Modern stainless steel is less prone to oxidization, but will rust if left in a pool or water or sweat. Modern galvanized steel turns dark grey or black as the coating oxidises, but doesn't lose any strength from this process. Do not hot-work galvanized steel as it produces toxic fumes at high temperatures. Galvanized steel was developed during the industrial revolution and not used in period.

Steel, Drawing

A term used to indicate that someone drawing a bladed weapon.

See Also: live steel.