Characterizing Historical Piano Wire — 24p — Mallory Moats, Arian Sheets

Piano wire, or string, plays a key role in the musical sound of a piano. However, these wires are also apt to break, meaning they often need to be replaced by piano restorers in historical pianos. This research characterized historical piano wires from the nineteenth century (a time when piano wire technology was evolving rapidly) with the goal of helping restorers make a more informed choice when performing their restoration. Specifically, this study characterized historical piano wire provided by the National Music Museum along with modern historic stock (contemporary piano wire made to replicate historical designs). X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and metallographic analysis were used to compare composition and microstructure. Hardness and tensile testing were used to compare mechanical properties. The results indicate that historical wires varied greatly. Analysis of modern replacement wires indicated that while not identical in properties, they may serve as a good replacement for some of the historic pianos in the museum’s collection.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Dr. Michael West