12-08-2005, 10:10 PM
Start with this book.
"The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles" by R.F. Tylecote:
He samples bronze and iron weapons and tools. It is quite clear that properly cast and work-hardened copper alloys (alloys that were known and used in the Bronze Age) are superior to wrought iron in both hardness and toughness). They are comparable to most of the steels that were available at the time. Only the best quench-hardened steels are superior to bronze. Iron did not replace bronze because it was superior in performance.
"The prehistory of metallurgy in the British Isles" by R.F. Tylecote:
He samples bronze and iron weapons and tools. It is quite clear that properly cast and work-hardened copper alloys (alloys that were known and used in the Bronze Age) are superior to wrought iron in both hardness and toughness). They are comparable to most of the steels that were available at the time. Only the best quench-hardened steels are superior to bronze. Iron did not replace bronze because it was superior in performance.
Author: Bronze Age Military Equipment, Pen & Sword Books
