Science - Metallurgy
The Iron Age marks the ultimate phase of the three-age classification of human prehistory and protohistory. It follows the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. The historians believe that it was approximately around 1300 B.C.
Iron is renowned for its exceptional strength attribute, making it a highly sought-after material. When combined with carbon, it gives birth to the remarkable substance known as steel. With a melting point reaching an impressive 2800°F, iron boasts exceptional heat resistance. However, one drawback to consider is its tendency to oxidize over time, rendering it less suitable for applications involving the presence of water or moisture.
Copper, although softer than iron, exhibits remarkable corrosion resistance. The exceptional chemical stability of copper and its alloys positions them as superior choices for numerous applications. In plumbing, where resistance against corrosion from diverse water and soil types is crucial, a range of copper alloy products are utilized in fresh water supply lines and plumbing fixtures. Similarly, marine components like fresh water and seawater supply lines, heat exchangers, condensers, shafting, valve stems, and other hardware take advantage of the resistance to salt water corrosion provided by copper alloys. Copper alloys also find their utility in heat exchangers and condensers within steam power plants.
Stress corrosion cracking occurs when metals are exposed to a combination of sustained stress and chemicals. Among these chemicals, ammonia and ammonium compounds are the most closely linked to stress corrosion susceptibility. These compounds may be present in the atmosphere, cleaning solutions, or water treatment chemicals. It is worth noting that copper alloys are highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking, making failures in these materials exceptionally rare.
Some of the uses of copper are related to its ability to control the growth of organisms. For example, copper has been demonstrated to be an effective antibacterial, antiplaque agent in mouthwashes and toothpastes. Copper also continues to be widely used for the control of unwanted organisms in marine applications, such as fish farming. Evidence in both fresh water and salt water indicates no hazardous effect to consumers or the fish.
Copper is not regarded as a pollutant, as it is extensively employed in copper plumbing systems that transport potable drinking water.
Copper-iron (CuFe) master alloys offer high tensile strength, corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity as well high electrical conductivity. They will have superior strength while having a conductivity that could range between 75% up to 90%. steel with up to 1.5% Cu is common, especially for forging steels and weathering steels. Commercially produced Fe-Cu ball milled nanocrystalline powders are used in manufacturing of diamond tools.
Qur'an - Metallurgy
The Holy Qur'an contains numerous verses that delve into the realm of metallurgy, highlighting how the prophets were taught this science by Allah. Please see Verse 18:10 about how Allah gave the knowledge of iron to Prophet David (pbuh) and the knowledge of how to make coats of armor to Prophet Solomon (pbuh) in Verses 21:80, and also spring of molten copper in Verse 34:12. Prophet David (peace be upon him) flourished during the early stages of the Iron Age, around 1000 B.C. As stated in the Holy Qur'an, Allah granted him the wisdom and expertise to work with iron, thus paving the way for remarkable advancements and widespread utilization of this metal by humankind.
In the following verses, the spotlight is on a remarkable figure named "Zul-qarnain." Numerous interpretations present contrasting explanations regarding his true identity, yet all of these theories exhibit certain flaws. Certain speculations suggest that the ancient dam located in the Darial Gorge is the very one referred to in the verse.
For the purpose of this discussion, we will adhere strictly to what is stated in the Qur'an. In essence, according to the Qur'an, Zul-qarnain was a devout believer who possessed divine insight. He embarked on extensive journeys, traversing both the western and eastern regions, encountering diverse groups of people along the way. Eventually, he arrived at a valley nestled between two mountains, where he discovered a community perpetually oppressed by foreign invaders. The inhabitants pleaded for his assistance. Now, let us explore the subsequent events through an examination of the following two verses.
Verse 18:96 states that Zul-qarnain requested pieces of iron and they piled up the gap (between the two mountains) with the iron. It is not clear whether or not it was iron oar or pure iron. Next, he asked them to make a fire and blow on the iron. We see the verse provides the details that the iron was so hot that started glowing like the fire. Finally, he directed the people to bring him molten copper which he poured over the iron. Consequently they could not scale it because of its height and could not pierce it because of its strength (e.g. Verse 18:97).
- It is obvious that an alloy of copper and iron was created which has tremendous strength and can't be pierced through.
- Iron was chosen for its strength and copper for its resistance to corrosion. You wouldn't want the wall to rust.
- Additionally, once this wall or dam was built, water might gather behind it so copper was chosen because of its antibacterial attributes and how it can control unwanted organisms in marine applications. You wouldn't want moss or organisms found in water covering the wall and affecting its durability.
- Finally, if water gathers behind it turning into a pond or lake, you would not want the alloy to be hazardous to wild life and humans. We know that copper is not hazardous.
Now, we see the wisdom behind choosing iron and copper! Remember that the Holy Qur'an mentions this more than 1400 years ago!
ءَاتُونِى زُبَرَ ٱلْحَدِيدِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ ٱلصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ ٱنفُخُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَعَلَهُۥ نَارًا قَالَ ءَاتُونِىٓ أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا
Bring me ingots of iron! Then, after he had [piled up the iron and] filled the gap between the two mountain-sides,
he said: [Light a fire and] ply your bellows! At length, when he had made it [glow like] fire,
he commanded: Bring me molten copper which I may pour upon it. 18:96
فَمَا ٱسْطَـٰعُوٓا۟ أَن يَظْهَرُوهُ وَمَا ٱسْتَطَـٰعُوا۟ لَهُۥ نَقْبًا
And thus were unable to scale it, and neither were they able to pierce it. 18:97
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا يَـٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِى مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيْرَ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلْحَدِيدَ
We bestowed Grace aforetime on David from ourselves: "O you Mountains! Sing you back the Praises of Allah with him! and you birds (also)! And We made the iron soft for him; 34:10
وَلِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُۥ عَيْنَ ٱلْقِطْرِ وَمِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۦ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind - its morning [journey was that of] a month - and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month, and We made flow for him a spring of [liquid] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command - We will make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze 34:12
وَعَلَّمْنَـٰهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍ لَّكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُم مِّنۢ بَأْسِكُمْ فَهَلْ أَنتُمْ شَـٰكِرُونَ
It was We Who taught him (Solomon) the making of coats of armor for your benefit, to guard you from each other's violence:
will you then be grateful? 21:80
