Wootz Steel
Alloys · Rare · Ancient
The source material for Damascus steel, wootz is a crucible steel developed in South India and Sri Lanka dating back to at least 300 BC. Its unique carbon nanotube-reinforced microstructure, discovered by modern metallurgists, explains its legendary properties.
Identity
- Source
- South Indian smithing tradition
- Aliases
- Ukku steel, Pulad (Persian), Hindu steel
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
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