| Abstract Scope |
Developments in Aluminum and Titanium alloys for commercial applications of superplasticity in the 1960’s and 70’s created a race to develop the property in steels. It was demonstrated that superplasticity could indeed be developed in steels, but the compositions required ultrahigh carbon (UHC) contents of 1-2%C. This discovery led to the reinvention of techniques to create the ancient Damascus Steel patterns, as well as those of layered or welded Damascus Steel structures. Subsequently, a mystery surrounding the remarkable properties of famous knives created by Frank Richtig at the turn of the last century was solved. Related work led to a comprehensive program of carbon dating in ancient steels, including the discovery that in some cases rust samples as well as solid samples could be dated. A well-documented discovery of an iron plate discovered in the Great Pyramid of Gaza, and the author’s attempt to carbon date it, will be described. |