Relationships between microstructures and properties of chinese ancient bronzes
The typical morphology of alloy lead (Pb) in ancient bronzes made in the Spring-Autumn Warring States Period (770 B.C. -221 B.C.), China, was examined by using electron microscopic techniques. We propose that the main purposes for adding metallic Pb in a large quantity into ancient bronzes, such as arrows and ritual vessel—Ding, were for increasing weight and economical reasons. In order to promote adding efficiency and improve casting quality for getting homogenously distributed Pb particles in the bronzes, a process through inserting Pb rod into the mold is supposed to be used during casting, which provided a process for preventing Pb sinkage. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations from the fracture surface of the bronzes revealed that the Pb particle possessed a “hollow-cored bubble” structure, which was formed due to absorbing casting gases during solidification and therefore indirectly eliminated the casting porosity and loosen.
Metallurgical and Chemical Characterization of Bronze Remains Found at the Houhe Site in Shanxi Province, China
This study attempts to determine the metallurgical and chemical characteristics of Chinese bronze artifacts from the early Iron Age by taking the bronze artifacts from the Houhe site as an example. The bronze artifacts included vessels, buckles, mirrors, and bells. Elemental compositions of 10 Chinese bronze artifacts from the Houhe site were determined by an x-ray fluorescence system. Microstructures were observed by a polarizing microscope. Most of the artifacts were cast and lacked external evidence of secondary processing. The copper content of the vessels is higher than the other samples, and the copper content of buckles is the lowest. High tin content is a distinctive characteristic of the mirrors. Through comparisons, bells show a decline in the content of copper from the Western Zhou dynasty to the early Han dynasty, and the content of lead increased over time. Combined with historical studies, the findings show that there may have been industrial standards for bronze production during the Han dynasty.
A History of Metallography
A History of MetallographyThe Development of Ideas on the Structure of Metals before 1890. By Prof. Cyril Stanley Smith. Pp. xxi + 291. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press; London: Cambridge University Press, 1960.) 8.50 dollars; 68s.