The Microstructure of Historic As-Cast Cu Alloys from Ancient Persia

The presentation begins with examples of the macrostructures and microstructure of as-cast Cu – 10% Sn. The ore came from Tell Leilan, Syria. The images can be viewed without etching as the constituents have natural color differences. B & W images can also be used. Several different etchants were used as well as different illumination modes. Several color tint etchants for Cu alloys were also used. Specimen preparation must be done perfectly to see the true microstructures. A few annealing twin boundaries were seen. Specimens found in War Kabud (Luristan), Iran were discovered in 1965 and 1966. They were from the 8th and 7th C BC.

The composition of the as-cast items varied a bit, but all contained Sn (3.1 to 18.2 %). Most contained a small amount of As (one contained <0.01% As and another contained 0.06% As). Most of the others contained 0.25 to 7.1% As.).

Two Greek Riace statues of soldiers made in 460 – 420 BC Are also going to be shown.