Did 4th century Roman army wear stainless steel armour?

Answer 1

Stainless steel, as pointed out above, was developed in the early 20th century. Ordinary steel did exist in antiquity. The Romans used steel from Noricum (part of present day Austria), to make swords. Steel is not well suited for armour because it is too hard. However, steel was involved in the making of one of the three types of Roman armour, the lorica segmentata. This was an armour made of overlapping metal plates. The plates had of soft iron inside and mild steel outside using the technique of case hardening. The surface iron was enriched with carbon before putting in the forge. This hardened the surface while leaving the inner metal to remain soft. The harder steel formed only a thin layer, the case of the plate. This hardened the plates without making them become brittle. The lorica hamata a chainmail armour) and the lorica squamata (a scale armour) were made with iron or bronze.

Answer 2

It is believed, by the stainless steel association, that the first person to melt stainless steel was Harry Brearley of Sheffield, England, who produced his first batch of said steel on August 13, 1913. Roman Army soldiers wore armor made of iron.

Answer 3

No. Stainless steel wasn't developed until the early 20th Century.

Answer 4

No, stainless steel wasn't invented then!

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