Pattern-welded (twist core) Budiak

Lee · 9th July 2019, 03:31 PM

The contrast within the twist core pattern-welding of the budiak that this thread started with appears to have been enhanced by a small percentage of Nickel. X-Ray fluorescence analysis (so, surface averaged over an area of about a square centimeter) disclosed about half of one percent Nickel without other elements commonly used to enhance patterns. Perhaps, in this context, a meteoric origin might be suspected, but there was not strong technical evidence for this. The silver sleeve is of good grade, about 90 percent, with trace elements consistent with early 20th century or before.

kai · 9th July 2019, 05:24 PM

Hello Lee,

Thanks for your insights - I hope more of these data will get reported with the XRF technology becoming more and more available!

Could you make the full lists available, please? Always difficult to anticipate what may prove important later on...

The low level of nickel is to be expected and certainly does not indicate any meteorite content: Sourcing this iron from Luwu (or some other terrestrial origin) seems much more likely unless you hit any characteristic trace metal fingerprint.

Regards,
Kai

9th July 2019, 03:31 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Technical details The contrast within the twist core pattern-welding of the budiak that this thread started with appears to have been enhanced by a small percentage of Nickel. X-Ray fluorescence analysis (so, surface averaged over an area of about a square centimeter) disclosed about half of one percent Nickel without other elements commonly used to enhance patterns. Perhaps, in this context, a meteoric origin might be suspected, but there was not strong technical evidence for this. The silver sleeve is of good grade, about 90 percent, with trace elements consistent with early 20th century or before.

9th July 2019, 05:24 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Lee, Thanks for your insights - I hope more of these data will get reported with the XRF technology becoming more and more available! Could you make the full lists available, please? Always difficult to anticipate what may prove important later on... The low level of nickel is to be expected and certainly does not indicate any meteorite content: Sourcing this iron from Luwu (or some other terrestrial origin) seems much more likely unless you hit any characteristic trace metal fingerprint. Regards, Kai