S. Perémi Ágota (szerk.): A Laczkó Dezső Múzeum közleményei 29. (Veszprém, 2019)

Thiele Ádám et al.: A díszítő kovácshegesztés (damaszkolás) szerepe a kora középkori kardpengékben

etching tests on polished metallographic specimen surfaces taken from the samples using six different acids that were available in the Middle Ages using two different concentrations, temperatures and etching times.

The results of mechanical tests were evaluated with the MCA method (Multi-Criteria Analysis) known in quality assurance, and, in the course of the etching experiments, we took photographs of the etched surfaces which were evaluated by image processing software.

Based on the results of the mechanical tests, we established that although the strength of phosphoric iron is high, similarly to tempered steels, its toughness remains well below that of tempered steels (it is rigid and brittle), and the poor mechanical properties are also shown by the layered composites. Further, based on the MCA method, it was also found that either a pure soft iron or a pure steel sword blade was a better choice against the stresses than the best of the material combinations made by pattern welding that is phosphoric iron + tempered steel. Nevertheless, this coupling resulted in the most beautiful pattern after etching by 20% hydrochloric acid at 70°C for 10 seconds.

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