Carl Aldrin E.

Sulam

2012-24719

In terms of realization of the Ulfberht, I think there are only few metallurgical
practices exhibited in the documentary. In general, one practice that is shown in the
film was the observation of mechanical properties of the metal for a desired
function, as example is the Ulfberht having made to be very strong yet very flexible
in comparison to the swords produced at the time of its existence. The second
metallurgical practice that was necessary was the observation of the Ulfberht
samples microstructures and the presence of impurities which is done in the film
through mounting and analysis via viewing equipment, through this practice the
Ulfberht sword was realized amongst the other swords at that technological time.
Including the above metallurgical practices and related concepts discussed
for the realization, other concepts were shown in the film through the creation of
the sword. These concepts include the different microstructures achieved at
different temperatures. The behavior of steel in terms of the amount of carbon
content is also evident in the film. The concepts of grains, lattice structure, and
crystals were also a little bit brushed up in the film discussed in the parts like the
statement about presence of deformations and the cooling of the crucible steel.
Quenching and tempering were also discussed as techniques to alter the
mechanical property of the sword. Lastly the use of echant to show a desired
property of the sword like, grains was also exhibited.
The concepts that were not clear to me were the use of oil in quenching the
sword. The inclusions of slags in the inferior swords might be also familiar but not
clear to me. The heating and hammering out of impurities is a process that I have
no idea about.