Studies on the structural properties of rust from ancient iron

The characteristics of ancient iron metal have been studied by many but few data are available on the nature of the rust on these iron. To ascertain this, number of physical and chemical tests were performed on rust collected from the ancient iron beam of the thousand-year-old temple at Konark. These tests indicated that the rust consists of Fe2O4,g-Fe2O3 and a and g hydrates of iron. (Dr. J.K. Mukherjee, Scientist, Dr. A.K. Lahiri, Scientist, and Dr. T. Banerjee, Scientist-in-charge, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur