Photomicrograph Database

Artifact ID DK 0283/0445
Negative Number NS287
Magnification 100x
Etchant Marshall's and 2% nital
Photo Date 1/8/2001

Alloy

iron

Structure

Metallographic Description

This sample is from one of the few uncorroded areas of this adze. The microstructure consists of varying amounts of ferrite and pearlite; the carbon content is highly heterogeneous. The high carbon regions (~0.7% C) occur mostly in the central portion rather than on the edges. The lowest carbon areas are ~0.25% C. From the inclusions, though, the piece was probably wrought iron. In some areas the ferrite shows side plates and a Widmanstätten structure. The appearance of the ferrite indicates that this specimen was rapidly cooled from high in the austenite phase.




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