Wootz Steel
Alloys · Rare · Ancient
Crucible steel from South India and Sri Lanka, made by sealing iron and green plant matter in a clay pot and holding it at heat for a day or more. It was the one steel of the ancient world that was genuinely melted, rather than beaten out of a spongy bloom, which is why it came out the same all the way through. It left the smelter as flat cakes the size of a palm, and traders carried those west.
Identity
- Source
- South Indian smithing tradition
- Composition
- Iron, Carbon ~1.3-1.7%
- Also known as
- Ukku steel, Pulad (Persian), Hindu steel
- Ores, before industry and since
- Goethite (Iron), Hematite (Iron), Limonite (Iron), Magnetite (Iron), Siderite (Iron)
Physical Properties
- Appearance
- Very dark grey to black, with a crystalline surface pattern visible after acid etching
- Luster
- Metallic
- Density
- 7.8 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1400 °C
- Boiling point
- 2700 °C
- Lighter
- Glassforged
- Denser
- Steel
- Magnetism
- Ferromagnetic
- Electrical conductivity
- Medium
Mechanical Properties
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Tensile strength
- 2000 MPa
- Softer
- Vanadium
- Harder
- Tungsten
- Workability
- Difficult
- Brittleness
- Moderate
- Malleability
- Low
- Ductility
- Low
Chemical Properties
- Corrosion resistance
- Moderate
- Reactivity
- Moderate
Lore & Narrative
Modern analysis revealed that wootz steel contains carbon nanotubes and cementite nanowires, structures that scientists could not synthesize until the late 20th century. Ancient Indian smiths were inadvertently creating nano-engineered steel over two thousand years ago.
- Notable uses
- Sword blades, high-quality tools, ceremonial weapons
- Forge uses
- Swords, Tools, Ceremonial weapons
- Worldbuilding traits
- Ancient, Nano-structured, Legendary, Indian
Sources
- Wootz steel, Wikipedia
Browse the Metal Encyclopedia — MGS Toolbox