Dear List Members,

This email has reference to the story on the Delhi iron pillar that has
been reported in several news reports recently.

Our group at IIT Kanpur has been studying various aspects of the Delhi
iron pillar for over a decade and all our scientific work has been
published in refereed international scientific journals. I have collected
all our research on the Delhi iron pillar and have published them in the
form of a book recently (see the end for description of the book). The
book is titled DELHI IRON PILLAR: NEW INSIGHTS.

There were some inconsistencies in the news reports. The most glaring
mistake is that the cause of corrosion resistance. Regarding the cause of
corrosion resistance, a clear picture would be obtained if our original
papers are studied and not to be taken by what the newspapers and news
agencies  have to report. They somehow miss some very important issues and
often, their statements can be construed to be incorrect. I would suggest
the following published papers, the first one being the most recent, for
those interested:

If you have any doubts on any aspect of the Delhi iron pillar, I would be
more than happy to discuss it.

1. "On the growth kinetics of the protective passive film of the Delhi
iron pillar" by R. Balasubramaniam, in Current Science, 82 (2002)
1357-1365.

http://tejas.serc.iisc.ernet.in/~currsci/jun102002/1357.pdf

2. "Characterization of Delhi Iron Pillar Rust by X-ray Diffraction,
Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy and Mvssbauer Spectroscopy" by R.
Balasubramaniam and A.V. Ramesh Kumar, in Corrosion Science, 42 (2000)
2085-2101.

3. "On the Corrosion Resistance of the Delhi Iron Pillar", R.
Balasubramaniam, in Corrosion Science, 42 (2000) 2103-2129

Thanking you for your kind hearing, I remain
Yours sincerely,

R. Balasubramaniam


*******************DETAILS OF BOOK ON DELHI IRON PILLAR**************
DELHI IRON PILLAR: NEW INSIGHTS by R. Balasubramaniam
The first chapter begins with a broad overview of the iron making
processes in ancient India and emphasizes the iron of the Delhi pillar.
The composition and microstructure of the Delhi pillar iron are discussed
in detail. Finally, the origin of high phosphorus contents in the Delhi
pillar iron, in particular, and in ancient Indian iron, in general, is
addressed briefly in this chapter and in detail in Appendix A. The second
chapter delves into the history of the iron pillar, where specific
attention is focused on the oldest Sanskrit inscription on the pillar. The
identity of Chandra provides firm dates for the construction of the pillar
and hence fixes the age of the pillar. The identification of the original
location of the pillar, Vishnupadagiri, sheds light on the environmental
conditions faced by the pillar before it was moved to its current location
at Delhi. A brief discussion is also provided for the history behind the
movement of the pillar from its original location to its present location.
The third chapter addresses the structural features of the pillar. A
detailed dimensional analysis of the pillar is presented followed by a
macroscopic description of the pillar starting from the buried underground
regions. The changes in the burial level of the pillar are also addressed.
The presence of lead at several locations in the pillar is described
before concluding the chapter with a brief discussion on the status of
lead metallurgy in ancient India. The fourth chapter describes the various
components of the decorative bell capital and the fitting methodology. The
fifth chapter elucidates the manufacturing methodology employed to
construct the main body of the pillar. Scientific and visual evidence for
the proposed methodology of manufacture is presented. The sixth chapter
addresses the corrosion resistance of the pillar. A review of the
corrosion resistance theories is first presented. The role of slag
inclusions (entrapped in the main body of the iron) on the corrosion
behavior is analyzed by the mixed potential theory. A detailed
characterization of the oldest rust on the pillar is presented, and the
process of formation of the protective passive film (which is responsible
for the superior corrosion resistance of the pillar) is explained. The
color of the growing rust on the pillar is also addressed before
concluding the chapter with a discussion on the difference between the
rusting of the Delhi pillar iron and mild/weathering steels. The final
chapter summarizes the new insights that have been presented in the book.
This chapter provides a brief overview of other large ancient iron
objects, with a detailed discussion on the Dhar iron pillar. Future
studies that need to be undertaken are proposed in each of these chapters.

ISBN: 81-7305-223-9
pp. xxii+170
Size 22cm x 28 cm
Plates: color 57; black and white 64
Figs and Maps 37
Price: Rs.1800 / USD 90.00 (export price, including first-class shipping
and handling)

Aryan Books International
Pooja Apartments, 4B Ansari Road, NEW DELHI 110 002.
Tel: 3287589, 3255799
Fax: 327 0385
Email : [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]

************END DETAILS OF BOOK******************



R.Balasubramaniam
Professor
Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Kanpur 208 016, INDIA

phone : +91 512 597089 (off) / 598579 (hom1) / 591656 (hom2)
fax   : +91 512 590260 / 597505 / 590007
email : [log in to unmask]
URL   : http://home.iitk.ac.in/~bala
Home  : 4084, 34th Street, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208 016.

On Sun, 21 Jul 2002, Richard Furrer wrote:

> Hello All,
> More research on the Delhi iron Pillar:
>
> http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=12824
>
> "New Delhi, July 18: Experts at the Indian Instituteof Technology have
> resolved the mystery behind the 1,600-year-old iron pillar in Delhi, which
> has never corroded despite the capital's harsh weather. "
>
>