about the history of humanity knows many things, but also a lot of it, and white spots.For example, historians have studied how early humans produced stone axes, then began to be used for this bronze.Then, people have learned to smelt iron and mastered the technology of making steel.But there is a page in the history of metallurgy as Damascus steel.Technology of production of this unique brand has become lost in his time, it is not fully understood until now.
and Europeans first "meet" with Bulat managed during the battle the army of Alexander the Great with the troops of the Indian king's time.Macedonians strongly struck the armor of the king, a captured.They were made of a very durable white metal.Great warriors and swords could not penetrate what this armor, they could not even scratch them.From the same steel were made and broad swords of Indian warriors.And they ripped Macedonian iron as easily as butter.And as they say historians, iron weapons Europeans in those days did not have a high quality.It was very soft and bent after a few strokes.A Damascus steel, which were made Indian swords, seemed a miracle for the Macedonians.And they were forced to retreat under the pressure of Indian warriors.
And long before the battle with the Himalayas in the principality of Punjab came an entire caste of blacksmiths.They knew the iron business and were able to make out of it a weapon, which has extraordinary properties.Then, from Punjab Damascus steel and the secrets of its production spread to Japan and Siam.A property of Indian swords, which were made of Damascus steel, were really amazing.They were strong and solid, and while these swords have unusual viscosity and elasticity.That blade could cut through an iron nail, at the same time it is easily bent into an arc.Yet these swords were made of different colors, such as blue or green.And they could see patterns that resembled tissue pattern.
was also amazing and the cutting ability of the Indian sword.Its blade after sharpening finds so acute that they could cut the air in a handkerchief out of gas.And such is the sharpness of the blade retained permanently.Also Damascus steel in ingots were imported to Syria.And there, in Damascus, from her fairy smiths forged blades.But "Import" Bulat was very expensive, so master invented a welded Bulat.They correctly determined that damask - is a composite consisting of particles of solid high carbon steel and soft, which is low in carbon.And from this welded Damascus steel blades Syrian blacksmiths produced sufficient quality.But Damascus steel is still inferior to the die-cast Indian Bulat in such qualities as strength and elasticity.
And so it went until the 12th century.In India and Syria produces quality weapon as long as there was Timur.He conquered and then destroyed and burnt Damascus.A armourers of the city moved by Timur of Samarkand and Bukhara.Thus, the production of damask steel has moved to Central Asia.And after the death of the conqueror went into decline and production of weapons of Damascus steel in Central Asia.In India, it is possible, and remained masters who know the secret of Damascus steel cast.But after India won the Europeans who brought modern methods of steel production, the ancient art of simply ceased to exist.
And in the 18-19 centuries in the West, trying to figure out what Damascus steel, what is the technology of its production.In particular, to solve this problem was trying to Michael Faraday, but he did not succeed.Then other metallurgical production from Western Europe were trying to get the patterned steel.Millon, Berthier, Faure, Fabre and other prepared steel designs by fusing iron with chromium, platinum and silver.
But the most success in this business has made the Russian engineer Major General PP Anosov.He was chief of Zlatoust arms factory.And according to his instructions to make an exact chemical analysis of Damascus steel.He summed up the experience of his predecessors and, having spent a decade in the study got yourself all the higher grade of damask steel.Anosov was able to recreate the legendary Damascus steel properties and to develop industrial technology of its receipt.
