Study of the structure of an iron dagger of the Hunnian time from Central Kazakhstan

The article publishes the results of a study of an iron dagger from Central Kazakhstan, dated to the Hunnic period (4th-5th centuries CE). Dagger without crosshair and pommel. The total length of the product is 32 cm. As shown by the x-ray, there are no traces of forge welding. The dagger is made from a whole piece of iron. All forging and heat treatment operations were carried out at temperatures below 727°C, i.e. below the temperature of austenite formation. The Vickers hardness was 244 HV5. Analysis of the proportion of carbides in iron indicates that the composition of the metal corresponds to hypereutectic steel, while the proportion of carbides in the colonies reaches the level of hypoeutectic cast iron. A high proportion of spherical carbides in combination with a ferrite matrix gives the dagger, with a relatively low hardness, high ductility, corrosion resistance and good cutting properties. The heat treatment technology used by the ancient master provided this metal with fairly high performance characteristics, increasing the cutting properties and survivability of the weapon in use. The published data represent the first results of a study of iron products of the Hunnic period from Central Kazakhstan.