Microstructures Analyses of Malay Keris and Its Relation to Mechanical Properties

The traditional steps in the fabrication of Malay Keris blades which are preserved in traditional knowledge are explained in consistency with the modern metallurgical engineering.These are forging, quenching, tempering and etching.The material selection process for specic parts of the blade is discussed and correlated to the particular fabrication method used to produce the nal properties, which consist of the ductility, hardness and the watermark pattern on the blade.Morphologies of the microstructure are also in agreement with the observed properties in which the central strip of the blades possesses some ductility to facilitate forging whereas the harder edge area is made of steel with higher carbon content