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Gary T




Location: Missouri
Joined: 10 Mar 2014

Posts: 40

PostPosted: Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:20 pm    Post subject: Hardness of mail         Reply with quote

What hardness variance do we see on found mail? Is it generally iron, mild steel, or what?
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Mart Shearer




Location: Jackson, MS, USA
Joined: 18 Aug 2012

Posts: 1,302

PostPosted: Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:33 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Here's a brief article from Dr. Williams if you don't have access to his book.
http://www.themailresearchsociety.erikds.com/pdf/tmrs_pdf_6.pdf

Wrought iron is the most common material, with diamond/Vickers pyramid hardness around 80-85. As early as the 12th century, we start getting references to "steel" mail, though it is notable for it's rarity or cost. Some of the early steel is not very homogenous, and hardness can vary across the ring. By the 16th century there are samples of hardened medium-carbon steel being used in mail with dph/Vph in the 500-600 range. Williams' Specimen 9 from the 16th century having a Vph of 587kg.mm-2 , about 7 times harder than wrought iron mail of the Roman through early medieval period.

ferrum ferro acuitur et homo exacuit faciem amici sui
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Dan Howard




Location: Maitland, NSW, Australia
Joined: 08 Dec 2004

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PostPosted: Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:34 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

It seems to mainly have been low carbon, highly refined iron (probably because it was easier to pull through a draw plate) but a lot more of it needs to be analysed to come to more specific conclusions. Later examples are more likely to be harder.

Edit: ninjaed by Mart

Author: Bronze Age Military Equipment, Pen and Sword Books
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Benjamin H. Abbott




Location: New Mexico
Joined: 28 Feb 2004

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Posts: 1,248

PostPosted: Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:04 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'd be interested to see how hardened mail would perform. If it's like plate then it would be about 50% stronger than the mild steel mail Williams tested for The Knight and the Blast Furnace.
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Gary T




Location: Missouri
Joined: 10 Mar 2014

Posts: 40

PostPosted: Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:50 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Appreciate the info, and nod to the wealth of knowledge possessed by the members of this forum
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