[TheForge] weapons found with the terracotta army

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

i have been reading about the terracotta army in china and the
excavation work that has and is still going on. in reading about the
weapons found with the terracotta army many questions come to mind. many
of the swords found are still 2,000 yrs later still sharp and corrosion
free. they have a 10 to 12 micrometer layer of chromium oxide on the
blades. i find it hard to believe that the swordsmiths in china 2,000
yrs ago had any knowledge of chromium or chromium oxide. was it just
chance that the metals they were using to fashion the swords was
contaminated with just the right amount of chromium to provide corrosion
resistance that has lasted 2,000 yrs?



-- 
terry l. ridder ><>