Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c20.s3.t3.9

v1.c20.s3.t3.9

Matured Iron Age had existed around eighth century BC in Pāṇḍu Rājār Dhibi; the hardening and quenching methods were observed (Chattopadhyaya and De, 1989) in a third century BC sickle, which is so far one of the earliest Indian specimens exhibiting the steeling process. The length of the sickle is 255 mm and the maxium width 22 mm. The internal curved region of the agricultural tool has a sharp cutting edge. Chemical analysis revealed that it is a low carbon steel: carbon 0.22 per cent, copper 0.15, nickel 0.13, cobalt 0.11, rest iron. The metallographic structure shows that of tempered martensite. The structure also exhibits retained acicularity at certain places.