Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c20.s5.4

v1.c20.s5.4

The iron slag samples assayed 72-74 per cent Fe₂O₃, 16-17 per cent SiO₂ (probably silicates such as fayalite-phase analysis was not done), 4-5% Al₂O₃, 1.2-1.7 per cent CaO and 0.4-0.8 per cent MgO. High percentages of Fe₂O₃ in the slag indicate that the attempt for reduction was inefficient and far from being fully successful.