Great history of steel article

[Martin]

http://www.tf.uni-kiel.de/matwis/amat/def_en/kap_5/advanced/t5_1_4.html

 

the chemistry of steel is complicated

and the story of the different ways it was made is fascinating and goes back to roman times

 

(the Celts may have had better steel than the Romans who conquered them)

 

(how was Damascus steel made? was the Samurai sword unique or did old German smiths use similar methods?)

 

even the role of magic is considered, and the relation to alchemy.

 

good article