Damascus Steel

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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Damascus Steel

carbon cast steel which, because of its particular technique of production, is distinguished by its unique surface structure and appearance (“pattern”) and by a high degree of hardness and resilience. The pattern of Damascus steel is associated with peculiarities of its smelting and crystallization. From ancient times (it was mentioned by Aristotle) it was used in the manufacture of silent weapons of exceptional strength and sharpness—blades, swords, sabers, daggers, and so on. Damascus steel was produced in India (it was called wootz), in the countries of Middle Asia and in Iran (where it was called taban or khorasan), and in Syria (where it was called Damask or Damascus steel). The first Damascus steel in Europe, similar to the best ancient eastern models, was produced at the Zlatoust Plant by P. P. Anosov.

REFERENCES

Anosov, P. P. O bulatakh, books 1-2. St. Petersburg, 1841.
D. K. Chernov i nauka o metallakh. Edited by N. T. Gudtsov. Moscow, 1950.

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