Abstract
THE observations described below have been made in the course of the metallographical examination of some samples of ancient lead of Roman origin (ca. second century A.D.). These leads, hailing from Corbridge, Northumberland, and Pentre Ffwrndan, Flintshire, appear to have been left in the furnaces in which they were produced, and were evidently, at the end of furnace operations, in an oxidized condition, for they now contain patches of red litharge, which occupy blow-holes and rifts in the metal. This litharge has been isolated and its identity proved by tests and also analytically, two preparations from different sources being found to contain 95.6 and 97.7 per cent of PbO, the balance being mainly infiltrated carbonates of iron and calcium.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Wöhler, F., Ann. Chem., 83, 253 (1853).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SMYTHE, J. A Lead Etching Effect. Nature 145, 704 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/145704a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/145704a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.