Steel Damascus

Damast, m. damask. stshl, m. damask steel, Damascus steel. -stoS, m. damask (the fabric). 

Damascus steel, also known in the Western world as Damascene steel, is a special type of steel that was and is still used to make sward and knifeblades. Apparently, Damascus steel was first made in India, where it was known as wootz or kuft, and later (during the second century b.c.e.) it was developed in Persia. The name "Damascus steel" was used by the Crusaders to describe the steel used by sword smiths of Damascus, Syria, famous for their ability to hammer and temper the steel into fine blades. The sword blades made from the steel had a reputation for their exceptional properties, especially their toughness, the retention of their cutting edge, as well as for a particular and characteristic decorative pattern on their surface (Figiel 1991). 

Damascus steel A hard and resilient decorated steel used for sword blades see... 

Wadsworth, J. and O. D. Sherby (1983), Damascus steel-making, Science 216, 328-330. 

It is interesting lo note that a description of the hardening procedure for Damascus steel (Won was located in the Halgala Temple in Asia Minor The hulat must be heated until it does not shine, just like the sun rising in ihe desert, alicr ssliich u must be cooled dow n to the color ol the king s... 

Figure 15.38 Section of a blade of Damascus steel showing the characteristic damask or watering pattern.

The technique was apparently also used to make the legendary Damascus swords. The details for making Damascus steel remain a mystery even with the presence of numerous well-preserved samples. Recent research into the structure and composition of the steel reveals that the strength of the steel was a result of carbon nanotubes and carbide nanowires present in the structure of the forged metal. Damascus swords often had an obvious patterned texture on their surfaces (Fig. 1.14). 

The iron and steel industry did not again become an important manufacturing process until after India gained independence. Much earlier the direct process for the production of iron cementation had been developed in India (Wl), which was utilized in Europe only several centuries later. Damascus steel was derived from India. 

Wootz steel later became known as Damascus steel because sword blades made from it had wavy surface patterns like Damask fabric. Damascus steel became famous because these swords kept their sharpness and strength after many battles. The knowledge of how to make Damascus steel was lost in the 1800s, but recently the process was redeveloped under the name superplastic steel. Collector hunting knives worth thou sands of dollars are being made from superplastic steel. 

A new steel that can be formed into complex shapes called superplastic or ultrahigh-carbon steel (UHCS) has been developed. Damascus steels can be stretched up to 100 times their length without breaking. The limit for most steels is less than 1 1/2 times. At high temperatures, UHCS puUs like taffy. There is almost no waste from their use. 

Damascus Steel. This was a very high quaiity ancient steei with a beautifui wavy surface pattern used in making sword biades. it seems to have come mainiy from india. 

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