They don't make 'em like they used to.
And this today:
More research needed on Delhi Iron Pillar: experts:
[India News]: New Delhi, Mar 13
The Delhi Iron Pillar, which has withstood corrosion for over 1,600 years, continues to attract the attention of archaeologists and scientists who want to undertake a systematic study to unfold the secret behind its strength.
A panel of scientists from across the country has recommended that the Government allow research on the pillar, a symbol of Indian metallurgical excellence, to ascertain its age, as well as for conservation of its underground part and the passive film that has preserved it through the ages.
"The Archaeological Survey of India has agreed to allow the use of well-established non-invasive techniques to ascertain as to when was the pillar built and its material aspects. But the efficacy of the techniques should be established by testing other ancient iron objects such as Iron Pillar at Dhar and Iron Beams at Konark," Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Dr Baldev Raj, who was a member of the panel that made the recommendations, said.
The panel had gathered here to review the status of scientific research on the pillar and make recommendations to the Government to initiate systematic scientific studies to gain more information about it.
Earlier studies, beginning in 1961, have thrown some light on the composition and the microstructure of the "rustless wonder", but difference versions exist on the scientific dating of the pillar, Professor R Balasubramaniam, a scientist at IIT Kanpur who has conducted extensive research on the pillar, said. PTI
Good Lord, this technology has been around for over 1600 years? To think how much rust proof steel could have saved in money, time, and labor. Staggering.
Before everyone goes all ga-ga over the skill of the ancients, consider this. The reason that phosphorous is eliminated by modern metallurgical process is that it causes the iron to be exceedingly brittle, thus rendering it unsuitable for use as a structural material or say a cannon barrel. Perfectly acceptable for a decorative column or ballast weight however.
Regards,
GtG
BTTT
Cold rust bluing, which is a process applied to gun metal, works on a similar principle. Essentially, it is a fixed film of corrosion that prevents further rust from forming. Parkerization (used on Garand M1s) used a phosphate based process to achieve similar result.
uh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh, he said "erection"....
Thanks Blam, will add it to the GGG catalog. Welcome to RightOnTheLeftCoast.
similar thread:
Mystery of Delhi's Iron Pillar unraveled
Press Trust of India | Sunday, July 21, 2002 | Editorial Staff
Posted on 07/21/2002 1:15:49 PM PDT by vannrox
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/719966/posts
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Every steel surface is coated with a layer of iron, oxygen, and hyrdogen. Rust is nothing but iron, oxygen, and hydrogen. Some of the iron oxides and hydroxides are more protective than others. Apparently, the phosphorus in this steel caused the surface to be coated with one of the more protective minerals.
It will be interesting to see whether the corrosion performance of this piece changes with time. If India gets enough industry to get a little acid rain, the whole surface could become active and start corroding rapidly in a very short period of time.
Bill