• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3334-3338
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• 2012

This work has been performed to evaluate the strength of fixtures, which were attached to outer surface of propeller flask to prevent transient movement during filling and cooling stages at Ni-Al-Bronze casting of large marine propellers. Experimental work was carried out to evaluate forces exerted on flask fixtures by measuring strain changes of fixtures due to thermal expansion and contraction during casting processes. Numerical analyses were also made to verify the experimental results and finally to evaluate the validity of arrangement of flask fixtures for casting of marine propellers.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2009

After replicating 10 bronze types such as Gyemija, Gyeongjaja, Eulhaeja, etc. before the Imjin war, we studied the change of microstructure from each casting process, method, and alloy ratio by Gyechukja replicated from "Donggukyeojiseungnam". We selected the average of compositions of Eulhaeja in the National Museum of Korea as the standard(Cu 86.7%, Sn: 9.7%, Pb: 2.3%) of bronze types, so we decided on the alloy's composition of Cu 87%, Sn 15%, Pb 8% added to 5% Sn and Pb contents because of evaporating the Sn and the Pb. Before replicating major metal types, we made master-alloy first, melting it again, and then replicated metal types. The composition of the 1'st replicated Gyechukja showed the range of Cu 85.81~87.63%, Sn 9.27~10.51%, Pb 3.05~3.19%. The 2'nd replicated Gyechukja made using the branch metal left after casting the 1st replica. The 2nd replicated Gyechukja showed the composition range of Cu 87.21~88.09%, Sn 9.06~9.36%, Pb 2.80~3.05%. This result decreases a little contents of Sn and Pb as compared with metal types of the 1st replica. However, it's almost the same as the Eulhaeja's average composition ratio in the National Museum of Korea. As a result of observing the microstructure of restored Gyechukja, it showed the dendrite structure of the typical casting structure and the segregation of Pb. There is no big difference of microstructure between the 1st and the 2nd restored metal types, even though the 2nd restored types partially decreases the eutectoid region in comparison with the 1st types. The systematic and scientific restoration experiment of metal types using Joseon period will be showed the casting method and alloy ratio, and this will be of great help to the study of restoration metal types in the future.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.156-179
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• 2016

Yatsushiro Shrine on the island of Kamishima located in Ise Bay, Japan, contains many cultural artifacts with ancient mirrors in significant numbers. Also included among the artifacts are horse gags and reins that are clearly of the same lineage as the horse harnesses from the unified Shilla era and Goryeo era in Korean history. Type classification and position establishment were carried out on the horse reins kept in the Yatsushiro shrine, including items such as those mentioned previously. Type A horse harness can be classified into 3 types. Based on this classification scheme, the harness type in the Yatsushiro shrine was found to belong to the most recent period. The blacksmith workshop that made the harness was producing iron wares and bronze wares, and it possessed metal forging and metal casting technologies. Note, however, that it was primarily a workshop where iron wares were made. The parts that were visible from the outside when the harness was attached were made from composite bronze, and the reins and bridle linkage were made from iron. Such integration of bronze ware production techniques and iron ware production techniques was an attempt at enhancing the practicality and embellishments on the harness.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.224-233
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• 2018

Thirty-three Early Iron Age bronzes at the sites of Hoam-dong in Chungju and Cheongsong-ri in Buyeo were investigated in order to study the manufacturing technique and the provenance of lead. Chemical analysis using X-ray fluorescence showed that 33 bronzes consist of copper(Cu), tin(Sn) and lead(Pb) served as major elements. Major and minor elemental analyses by EPMA were performed on two mirrors and 2 weapons of the bronzes investigated. The results shows that bronze mirrors from Chungju and Buyeo were high-tin bronzes(> 30 wt%). And 20% of tin and 5% of lead were founded in bronze weapons. Iron, zinc, arsenic, silver, nickel, sulfur and cobalt detected in four bronzes as minor and trace elements. The four bronzes were alloyed considering their function and were not heat treated after casting due to their high tin content. Lead isotope analysis using TIMS indicates that thirty-three bronzes were distributed southern Korea peninsula except Zone 1. As a result, lead raw materials came from various regions in Korean Peninsula not from Gyeongsang-do regions. The manufacturing techniques of bronze ware generalized at this age, and bronze was produced in various sites using raw materials from various sources.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.208-227
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• 2013

Twenty-seven bronze bowls excavated from the Goryo burial complex at Deobu-gol were examined for their microstructure and chemical composition to characterize the bronze technology practiced by commoners at the time. Results showed that the objects examined can be classified into four groups: 1) objects forged out of Cu-near 22%Sn alloys and then quenched; 2) objects cast from Cu-below 10% Sn alloys containing lead; 3) objects cast from Cu-10%~20% Sn alloys containing lead and then quenched; 4) objects forged out of Cu-10~20% Sn alloys containing lead and then quenched. This study revealed that the fabrication technique as determined by alloy compositions plays an important role in bronze technology. The use of lead was clearly associated with the selection of quenching temperatures, the character of inclusions and the color characteristics of bronze surfaces. It was found that the objects containing lead were quenched at temperatures of $520^{\circ}{\sim}586^{\circ}C$ while those without lead were quenched at the range of $586^{\circ}{\sim}799^{\circ}C$. The presence of selenium in impurity inclusions was detected only in alloys containing lead, suggesting that the raw materials, Cu and Sn, used in making the lead-free alloys for the first group were carefully selected from those smelted using ores without lead contamination. Furthermore, the addition of lead was found to have significant effects on the color characteristics of the surface of bronze alloys when they are subjected to corrosion during interment. In leaded alloys, corrosion turns the surface light green or dark green while in unleaded alloys, corrosion turns the surface dark brown or black. It was found that in fabrication, the wall thickness of the bronze bowls varies depending on the application of quenching; most of the quenched objects have walls 1mm thick or below while those without quenching have walls 1mm thick or above. Fabrication techniques in bronze making usually reflect social environments of a community. It is likely that in the late Goryo period, experiencing lack of skilled bronze workers, the increased demand for bronze was met in two ways; by the use of chief lead instead of expensive tin and by the use of casting suitable for mass production. The above results show that the Goryo bronze workers tried to overcome such a resource-limited environment through technological innovations as apparent in the use of varying fabrication techniques for different alloys. Recently, numerous bronze objects are excavated and available for investigation. This study shows that with the use of proper analytical techniques they can serve as a valuable source of information required for the characterization of the associated technology as well as the social environment leading to the establishment of such technology.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.37
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• pp.267-284
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• 2004

As an initial step to understand the transitions in Korean bronze technology the present study has examined metallurgical microstructures of 8 artifacts excavated from the Silla Wang-Gyong site in Kyongju. Important trends have been found in alloy compositions and also in manufacturing processes. In the design of alloys, the Sn content was apparently changing toward the peritectic point, 22 mass %, of the Cu-Sn phase diagram while the Pb addition was intentionally avoided. This trend in composition was found accompanied by the introduction, subsequent to casting, of such special thermo-mechanical treatments as quenching and forging in artifact manufacture. In addition, the Sn content in alloys containing a significant amount of As was relatively low and no evidence of forging was observed in them. The use of quenching and forging and the rejection of Pb and As from alloys are all necessary requirements if the brittle nature of high Sn alloys is to be overcome in bronze working. This paper will show that the Wang-Gyong era corresponds to that of innovations leading to the technical climax in Korean bronze tradition, which has been maintained up to the present.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.161-182
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• 2021

A jungwangu, a type of medium-sized mortar, is a firearm with a barrel and a bowl-shaped projectileloading component. A bigyeokjincheonroe (bombshell) or a danseok (stone ball) could be used as a projectile. According to the Hwaposik eonhae (Korean Translation of the Method of Production and Use of Artillery, 1635) by Yi Seo, mortars were classified into four types according to its size: large, medium, small, or extra-small. A total of three mortars from the Joseon period have survived, including one large mortar (Treasure No. 857) and two medium versions (Treasure Nos. 858 and 859). In this study, the production method for medium mortars was investigated based on scientific analysis of the two extant medium mortars, respectively housed in the Jinju National Museum (Treasure No. 858) and the Korea Naval Academy Museum (Treasure No. 859). Since only two medium mortars remain in Korea, detailed specifications were compared between them based on precise 3D scanning information of the items, and the measurements were compared with the figures in relevant records from the period. According to the investigation, the two mortars showed only a minute difference in overall size but their weight differed by 5,507 grams. In particular, the location of the wick hole and the length of the handle were distinct. The extant medium mortars are highly similar to the specifications listed in the Hwaposik eonhae. The composition of the medium mortars was analyzed and compared with other bronze gunpowder weapons. The surface composition analysis showed that the medium mortars were made of a ternary alloy of Cu-Sn-Pb with average respective proportions of (wt%) 85.24, 10.16, and 2.98. The material composition of the medium mortars was very similar to the average composition of the small gun from the Joseon period analyzed in previous research. It also showed a similarity with that of bronze gun-metal from medieval Europe. The casting technique was investigated based on a casting defect on the surface and the CT image. Judging by the mold line on the side, it appears that they were made in a piece-mold wherein the mold was halved and using a vertical design with molten metal poured through the end of the chamber and the muzzle was at the bottom. Chaplets, an auxiliary device that fixed the mold and the core to the barrel wall, were identified, which may have been applied to maintain the uniformity of the barrel wall. While the two medium mortars (Treasure Nos. 858 and 859) are highly similar to each other in appearance, considering the difference in the arrangement of the chaplets between the two items it is likely that a different mold design was used for each item.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.22-37
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• 2021

The wind chime is a longstanding Jangeomgu (majestic article) found in Korea, China, and Japan. However, basic research on wind chimes is currently inadequate as it is difficult to estimate the time of production, and there are few relics. Therefore, this research morphologically classifies the eight bronze wind chimes decorating the baldachin of the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple, Nonsan. Based on this, the manufacturing techniques and production period are scientifically demonstrated. The synthesis of the research results reveals that the structure and characteristics of the wind chimes of the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple, Nonsan differ depending on their location on the baldachin. The four large-sized wind chimes on the lower-baldachin were manufactured by casting a Cu-Sn-Pb alloy, and they are estimated to have been made during the early period of Goryeo. The two medium-sized wind chimes of the upper-baldachin's northern direction were manufactured through forging a Cu-Sn or Cu-Sn-Pb alloy, and they appear to have a similar structure to the cylindrical wind chimes appearing during the latter period of Goryeo and the Joseon period. The two small-sized wind chimes of the upper-baldachin's southern direction were manufactured by casting a Cu-Sn-Pb alloy containing Zn, and based on the chemical composition of the alloy and the shape of the clapper, they are estimated to have been manufactured during the latter period of Joseon. Through the observation of microstructures and a chemical composition analysis, it is demonstrated that two wind chimes of the lowerbaldachin were manufactured by casting and slow cooling the alloy with an alloy ratio of Cu:Sn:Pb≒80:15:5. In addition, it is estimated that the wind chimes of the upper-baldachin's northeast direction were manufactured by forging an alloy of Cu-Sn with a similar alloy ratio to that of forged high tin bronze. The results of a comparative analysis of prior research on domestic wind chimes confirm that two wind chimes of the lower-baldachin have a similar composition ratio to the wind chime excavated from Wolnamsaji in Gangjin, containing an amount of tin that corresponds with ancient records. Having a similar alloy ratio to forged high tin bronze, the wind chimes of the upper-baldachin's northeast direction are the only instances among all of the wind chimes that have been examined to date that were manufactured using this forging method. The purpose of this research is to collect baseline data to verify and classify the manufacturing period of wind chimes according to their morphological characteristics based on scientific evidence. It is hoped that this data can be utilized for the restoration and conservation processes of the wind chimes of the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple, Nonsan.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.8
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• pp.49-69
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• 2007

This is about the scientific analysis of the 10 items of the gilt-bronze Panbul excavated from Anapji, Gyeongju. First, the composition of the Panbul was confirmed, using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), and the patinas covering the surface of the Panbul were analyzed, using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). And the micro structures and gilt layer of the Panbul were investigated, using microscope and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS), and in order to investigate the internal conditions of the Panbul, X-radiography was conducted. As the result, it is found out that the material of the Panbul excavated from Anapji was the bronze of copper (86~95%) and tin (4~12%), and coated with gold. And cuprite (Cu₂O) was detected from red patina of the gilt-bronze Panbul, and chalcocite(Cu₂S) also was detected from the black patina. As the result of the observation of the micro structure through microscope, it is estimated that it was manufactured, using the wax molding method, and, judging from the fact that the thickness of gilt layer was not even, and that the groove had been filled, it was presumed that the amalgam coating method had been used, but some questions still remain, because mercury was not detected. Lastly, through the X-radiography, it was observed that the tiny round spots existed, which was presumed to have been generated during the casting.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1987

The effects of melting and casting conditions on cast structures of Cu-Sn-Pb alloys were studied. Specimens were prepared at different pouring temperatures of $1100^{\circ}C$ to $1260^{\circ}C$ with use of various kind of molds, green sand mold, $CO_2$ sand mold, shell mold, furan sand mold and metallic mold. (1) The transition of equiaxed to columnar structure greatly influenced by adding elements and mold binders. (2) The change of equiaxed structure according to pouring temperatures were expressed by separation theory. Lower pouring temperature and rapid cooling rate increase hardness and it's further increase was shown in the region of columnar structure. (3) Proper controls of pouring temperature, cooling rate and mold binder were important factors to improve wear properties of Cu-Sn-Pb alloys castings.