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Metallographic and microstructural investigation on copperbased nails of the Roman Empire Age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2012

C. Mapelli ,
S. Barella ,
A. Gruttadauria ,
D. Mombelli ,
C. Baldizzone  and
L. Brambilla
C. Mapelli
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy. e-mail: [email protected]
S. Barella
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy. e-mail: [email protected]
A. Gruttadauria
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy. e-mail: [email protected]
D. Mombelli
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy. e-mail: [email protected]
C. Baldizzone
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy. e-mail: [email protected]
L. Brambilla
Affiliation:
Soprintendenza per i Beni Architettonici, Paesaggistici, Storici, Artistici ed Etnoantropologici per le province di Pisa e Livorno, via Lungarno Pacinotti 46, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Abstract

The scientific investigation involves the examination of copper alloy nails dated back tothe Roman Age. The artifacts were retrieved from a shipwreck discovered offshore Elbaisland (Italy). Further carbon dating measurements indicated the origin between 140 and300 AD. This work includes a brief overview of the ship’s routes and fortunes in order togive some context to the metallographic investigations. The experimental procedureinvolves the use of both Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (OM and SEM) coupledwith EDS and EBSD probes. The attention has been focused on the metallurgical features ofthe nails with the intent of casting some light on the metalwork processes of the RomanAge. The scientific trials revealed a “brazed” joint, which allowed to learn more aboutthe applications of this technique during this historical period. In addition, thetextural analysis yielded a strong work-hardening, evidence of an intense cold shapingprocedure in use by the Roman blacksmiths.

Keywords

Copper-based nailRoman agesmeltingforgingSEM-EBSD
Type
Research Article
Information
Metallurgical Research & Technology , Volume 109 , Issue 4 , 2012 , pp. 203 - 216
Copyright
© EDP Sciences 2012

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