Metallurgy, Materials & Chemistry
Rust-resistant iron (Iron Pillar of Delhi)
c. 375-415 CEGupta-era metallurgistsThe pillar itself (Mehrauli)Delhi
375 CE
A ~6-tonne wrought-iron pillar that has resisted corrosion for over 1,600 years.
- Dated
- 375–415 CE
- As scholars put it
- c. 375-415 CE
- Originator
- Gupta-era metallurgists
- Source text
- The pillar itself (Mehrauli)
- Region
- Delhi
- Discipline
- Metallurgy, Materials & Chemistry
- Evidence
- Documented
- Confidence
- High
- Verification
- Reference-cited
Meanwhile in the West
Corrosion science is a modern Western discipline.
Fair to say
The resistance is explained by high phosphorus content and climate, not a lost secret.
Path to modern innovation
A famous case study in corrosion resistance.
Builds on
1,800 BCETransmission
The corrosion resistance was later analysed by modern metallurgists (a protective phosphate film).
References
- 1R. Balasubramaniam, studies on the Delhi Iron Pillar
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-041 on GitHub.