Investigating Failure Mechanisms in Historical and Modern Wrought Irons During Tensile Testing with Acoustic Emission Monitoring and Imaging

Historical wrought irons exhibit distinct failure mechanisms compared to modern counterparts, primarily driven by microstructural defects such as transverse slags and voids. A study analyzing 14th-, 18th-, and 20th-century irons through tensile testing, acoustic emission (AE) monitoring, digital image correlation, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-CT revealed three key failure modes: plastic deformation (35–87 kHz), debonding (125–156 kHz), and fracture (197–298 kHz). Modern irons displayed ductile failures with post-yield plasticity, while historical specimens showed defect-driven failures marked by localized strain concentrations. These findings highlight how micro-mechanical processes influence macro-scale mechanical properties, offering insights into the durability of heritage materials like those used in Blenheim Palace.

Akcicek, K., Zuo, J., Viles, H., & Acikgoz, S. (2026). Investigating Failure Mechanisms in Historical and Modern Wrought Irons During Tensile Testing with Acoustic Emission Monitoring and Imaging. International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2026.2670321