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http://dx.doi.org/10.12654/JCS.2020.36.3.05

Metallurgical Characteristics and Manufacturing Techniques of Ring-Pommel Swords Excavated from Ancient Tombs in Hadae, Ulsan  

Jo, Ha Nui (Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)
Kim, Han Seul (Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)
You, Ha Rim (Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)
Lee, Jae Sung (Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)
Publication Information
Journal of Conservation Science / v.36, no.3, 2020 , pp. 197-212 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study analyzed the microstructure of ring-pommel swords, excavated from Ancient Tombs, Hadae, Ulsan and examined their production technique, using non-destructive testing and a metallurgical method. The results confirmed that the five ring-pommel swords, unearthed in Ancient Tombs, Hadae, Ulsan, as identified by radiographic non-destructive testing, had been solely manufactured using iron, through forging based on the single-piece technique. Furthermore, these results were compared with previous studies, and the manufacturing techniques of single-piece ring-pommel swords were categorized into three types: pure iron - changing the shape, pure iron - changing the shape - carburization, and steel - changing the shape - quenching. The ring-pommels of four swords had around 0.7% of carbon content, which is as much as for eutectoid steel and higher than for other parts of these swords, such as the backs of their blades and handles. The weapon function of a small ring-pommel sword, under 60cm in length, was maximized by quenching focusing on its blade. Conversely, the martensite quenching structure was not observed in four ring-pommel swords shorter than 75cm. In other words, the same types of single-piece ring-pommel swords(late in 2C~early in 4C) were unearthed from Ancient Tombs, Hadae, and the group who has manufactured these swords is presumed to have limited their effectiveness, functionally depending on purposes, through an iron-making process and heat-treatment techniques.
Keywords
Ring-pommel sword; Radiographic non-destructive testing; Single-piece; Microstructure; Production technique;
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