From: Paul_Stolar_at_Waseca@epccmail.itron.com
Date: Fri 12 Jul 1996 - 20:01:34 EEST
Erik:
>Uhm, according to what I read (Encyclopedia Britannica, I think)
>bronze held a BETTER edge than iron, being harder.
Nils
Hmm? I thought bronze was both softer and more brittle, the latter
since it is cast, not hammered and tempered.
Me
This talk about bronze has us metallurgists cringing. Typically, the harder a
material is, the more brittle it is. Hardness is defined as resistance to
deformation on the surface. Strength is loosely defined as resistance to a load.
Ceramics are very hard and brittle. Some types of steel are also hard and
brittle.
Bronze will be easier to grind/sharpen than steel, being softer, but it will
loose its edge more quickly. Steel is more difficult to work, but will withstand
more punishment.
Do not confuse hardness with strength.
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