History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t4.180

v1.c13.s2.t4.180

In this process the high carbon white cast iron is packed in iron oxide powder and heated at 950°C for a very long period when the carbon is removed by diffusion and oxidation to CO. This postulation of Yater is most probably based on the combination of the above mentioned two processes and the process of malleabilization developed in the area of Birbhum (Bengal) mentioned by Mahamud (1988). Yater has proposed this process probably because of the prevalent belief that temperature of the order of 1550°C cannot be generated in a charcoal fired furnace, but authors calculation and the temperature measurement done by Prasad, K.K. (1990) et al. has proved it otherwise. The production of Wootz steel was in full swing upto the early 20th century and an estimate of its demand in Western countries can be had from the fact that in the 17th century according to Lowe, T. (private correspondence) one Dutch consignment of this steel consisted of 20,000 ingots shipped from our country.