12-27-2006, 04:48 PM
Greetings,
I've been studying Plinius' book on non precious metals for a while and I have some questions. i'd be very grateful if anyone could help me.
A link to an English translation of Plinius' book: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/pt ... chunk=book
1. Chapter 40:
Is there any archaeological find from the Roman period that is made from an alloy of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe)?
2. Chapter 41:
Is this true? Can the composition of water influence the quality of the iron that is quenched in it? Can it be that a high percentage of a certain mineral or acids in the water influences the iron?
Thanks in advance,
Valete,
I've been studying Plinius' book on non precious metals for a while and I have some questions. i'd be very grateful if anyone could help me.
A link to an English translation of Plinius' book: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/pt ... chunk=book
1. Chapter 40:
Quote:The artist Aristonidas, wishing to express the fury of Athamas subsiding into repentance, after he had thrown his son Learchus from the rock, blended copper and iron, in order that the blush of shame might be more exactly expressed, by the rust of the iron making its appearance through the shining substance of the copper; a statue which still exists at Rhodes.
Is there any archaeological find from the Roman period that is made from an alloy of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe)?
2. Chapter 41:
Quote:But the main difference results from the quality of the water into which the red-hot metal is plunged from time to time. The water, which is in some places better for this purpose than in others, has quite ennobled some localities for the excellence of their iron, Bilbilis, for example, and Turiasso in Spain, and Comum in Italy
Is this true? Can the composition of water influence the quality of the iron that is quenched in it? Can it be that a high percentage of a certain mineral or acids in the water influences the iron?
Thanks in advance,
Valete,