Dear Mr. Furrer,
I thank you for your response, however, I am not inquiring on the
process of smelting, as it has been thoroughly the studied. What I
inquire is specific references in the literature as to metallurgy of
the blooms produced in Early Medieval British bloomery furnaces. I
would also like references to literature on experimental smelting in
furnaces of similar make to the early medieval examples.
The final question in your response is exactly is exactly the research
I have been doing for the last five years. I have been studying the
archaeomentallurgy Early Medieval iron artefacts and have gained a
great deal of insight into the heterogeneity/homogeneity of the iron
used in these artefacts. My intent with the information I am
requesting is to determine if previous studies have examined the topic
of metallurgy of Early Medieval blooms so that I can compare that
research to my own.
Thanks again,
Samantha Rubinson
PhD Archaeometallurgy
AGES
University of Bradford
[log in to unmask]
Quoting Richard Furrer <[log in to unmask]>:
> Hello All,
> How can a a bloom be anything but heterogeneous considering the
> environment in which is is formed?
> Air blasts are not constant, charcoal size causes air currents and
> hot spots to vary which in turn causes various micro-environments of
> reducing, carbonizing and neutral areas in contact with raw
> ore,partially reduced ores as well as the bloom top and slags.
> Add to this the act of slag and charge material with blocking tuyers
> at somewhat random intervals and the effect of tapping the slag and
> its chemistry effecting its viscosity and therefor how it flows from
> and around the bloom (if at all).
> Heterogeneity is the name of the game.
>
> NOW..that said
> The larger the bloom body the larger the opportunity for evenness
> with iron, carbon content and slag content in certain areas, but
> sorting the bloom is part of the technology as is bloom
> consolidation and bar forging.
> In my experience the inner,outer and sides of the bloom vary in
> quality, chemistry and properties..sometimes greatly.
>
> I do not believe a "single alloy" can be obtained even with modern
> crucible or induction practice without a good intent.
>
> To some extent bloom quality can be witnessed in the products made
> from said blooms...what do the tools and weapons of the time
> illustrate in microstructure?
>
>
> Ric Furrer
> Sturgeon Bay, WI
>
> On Nov 7, 2009, at 1:48 PM, SR Rubinson wrote:
>
>> Dear Archaeometallurgy Community,
>>
>> I am looking for information on the products of the Saxon/Viking
>> Early Medieval bloomery furnaces. Specifically the aspects of the
>> blooms such as the amount of slag left in the bloom and the
>> heterogeneity of the alloys within the bloom. Was it possible to
>> get single alloy blooms (i.e. ferritic blooms, steel blooms, etc.)?
>> Were the Early Medieval blooms very slaggy?
>>
>> I have been lead to believe that the blooms of the period where
>> heterogeneous and it was the job of the bloomsmith to separate out
>> each of the alloys in to the single alloy bars that will be used by
>> the blacksmiths. I don’t agree with this, but have not been able to
>> find literature for or against this theory. Do any of you know of
>> places I can look for information on Early Medieval blooms?
>>
>> Thank you,
>> Samantha Rubinson
>> PhD Archaeometallurgy
>> AGS
>> University of Bradford
>>
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