• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.23
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• pp.1-16
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• 2020

In this paper, Gilt-bronze Standing Avaolkiteshvara (National Treasure No. 293, M355) excavated at Gyuam-ri in Buyeo was observed with a microscope to identify the production technique applied to it. It was also analyzed with XRF and hard X-ray to identify the composition and the surface treatment techniques and casting method applied. In this statue, Avalokiteshvara is standing upright on a lotus pedestal. The lotus designs on the pedestal and those on the shawl flowing down on both sides of the statue are characteristic of Buddhist statues from the seventh century or later. The use of supports to affix the outer and inner molds and traces of injected cast were observed in the interior of the pedestal. The blisters on the arms and pedestal created during the bronze casting indicate the use of lost-wax casting, which was popularly employed for the production of mid- or small-sized gilt-bronze Buddhist statues in ancient times. The composition analysis identified a copper-tin-lead ternary alloy in the interior of the statue that was conventional used in the sixth and seventh centuries. It is likely that this simple alloy was used to facilitate casting and produce clearer expressions of designs and ornaments on the statue. Mercury (Hg) was detected on the surface of the statue, indicating the use of amalgam-plating with gold (Au) dissolved in mercury. This plating method is a common surface treatment technique used for small gilt-bronze statutes in ancient Korea.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.157-169
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• 2010

This study focused on the material characteristics and archaeometric relationship between the molten glass and bronze materials within the crucibles and gilt-bronze Bodhisattva statue excavated from the Ssangbukri site in Buyeo, Korea. Yellowish green to red brown vitreous material in the crucibles was identified as lead glass which contained scarce amount of BaO, and low $Al_2O_3$ and CaO. Metallic molten material was identified as bronze of copper-tin-lead alloy with low amount of impurities that indicated well-refined materials. Also, cassiterite was used for raw metal ore of tin. The Bodhisattva statue consisted of major copper with trace impurities in the core metal, and gold amalgam in the gilded layer. Though lead isotopic analysis showed contradictory results in each lead glass, bronze and Bodhisattva statue that required further examination, it could be stated that the statue was made in the Ssangbukri site based on the high-level technical skills of bronze production.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.555-566
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• 1987

Fifty ancient Korean coins originated in Yi Dynasty have been determined for 9 elements such as Sn, Fe, As, Ag, Co, Sb, Ir, Ru and Ni by instrumental neutron activation analysis and for 3 elements such as Cu, Pb, and Zn by atomic absorption spectrometry. Bronze coins originated in early days of the dynasty contain as major constituents Cu, Pb and Sn approximately in the ratio 90 : 4 : 3, whereas, those in latter days contain in ratio 7 : 2 : 0. Brass coins which had begun in 17 century contain as major constituents Cu, Zn and Pb approximately in the ratio 7 : 1 : 1. The multivariate data have been analyzed for the relation among elemental contents through the variance-covariance matrix. The data have been further analyzed by a principal component mapping method. As the results training set of 8 class have been chosen, based on the spread of sample points in an eigen vector plot and archaeological data such as age and the office of minting. The training set and test set of samples have finally been analyzed for the assignment to certain classes or outliers through the statistical isolinear multiple component analysis (SIMCA).

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2011

Thermal conditions in practice at the traditional bronze workshop of the Korean Folk Village in Yongin were examined along with the microstructures of some high tin bronze objects made there. Laboratory experiments approximating the conditions of the workshop were also carried out and the results were compared. The operating temperature of the workshop furnace was measured to range from $750^{\circ}C$ to $850^{\circ}C$ while the surface temperature of an object, upon its removal from the furnace for additional thermo-mechanical treatments, was generally in the range of $600^{\circ}C$ to $685^{\circ}C$. This variation in working temperatures was reflected in varying microstructures developed upon quenching. The products of the Folk Village were found to consist of microstructures where the ${\alpha}$ grains of the Cu-Sn system were distributed in the background of different phases including the ${\beta}$-martensite phase, retained ${\gamma}$ phase, ${\alpha}+{\delta}$ eutectoid or their mixtures. This variability, which is also identified in objects made in ancient times as well as in our laboratory experiments, suggests that the actual thermal conditions given during the quenching treatments are much more complicated than is inferred from the temperature measurements. This paper will present detailed accounts of the thermo-mechanical treatments as observed in the high tin bronze workshop of the Korean Folk Village and discuss the evolution of varying microstructures in terms of the substantial variability involved in the implementation of the traditional forged high tin bronze technology of Korea.

• Archives of design research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2004

In this research, the copper alloy plates C2200, C5210, C7701, C8113 were selected to make datum and to identify further usage of metal craft experimentation. For its experimentation, the general welding and TIG welding methods were researched; for 2nd experimentation, the Reticulation and Electroforming skill's differences in color and temperature were researched. With these methods 3 different kinds of works are introduced for sample studies. For this research, Dr. Lee, Dong-Woo who works in Poongsan Metal Co, supported 4 kinds of copper alloy metals. Which are Commercial bronze (Cu-Zn), Deoxidiged Copper(Cu-Sn-P), Nickel Silver (Cu-Ni-Zn), and White Bronze (Cu-Ni); they were applied partly and wholly by the method of Laminatin, Reticulation, Fusing, and Electroforming skills. In case of C2200, the brass, the A. C. TIG welding method is better under 2mm slight plate; the D.C. TIG welding is better upper 2mm plate; and 250~300$^{\circ}C$ is recommended for remain heat treatment. In case of C5210, not having Hydrogen in high temperature return period, doesn't need Oxygen in high temperature and hardening in comparative high temperature neither, it is good for welding. It contains Sn 2-9% ad P 0.03-0.4% generally; and in accordance with the growth rate of Sn contain amount, the harden temperature boundary become broad. In case of cold moment after welding, they are recommended that higher speed TIG welding, smaller melting site and less than 200$^{\circ}C$ for pre-heating temperature. In case of C7701, the 10-20% Ni, 15-30% Zn are widely used.. If it is upper 30% Zn, it become (${\alpha}+{\beta}$) system and adhesive power rate become lower, and the productivity become lower in low temperature but the productivity become higher in high temperature. Nickel Silver's resistance of electricity is well; and the heatproof and incorrodibility is good, too. Lastly, in case of C8113, good at persistence in salty and grind; high in strength of high temperature. In case of white brass, contain 10-30% Nickel and hardened in high temperature and become single phrase. For these reason, the crystallization particles easily become large, if the resistance become higher small amount of Pb, P, S separation rate become higher.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.178-186
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• 2020

Verdigris is a traditional artificial pigment reported on old research papers and according to the methods mentioned in the literature, it is manufactured by the corrosion of copper or copper alloys using vinegar and by further scraping the generated rust. Since the Three Kingdoms Period, various household products with copper alloys, such as bronze and brass, have been used, and pigment analysis of these cultural heritage items has revealed the presence of tin, zinc, lead, and copper in green pigments. Based on these data, five types of verdigris were prepared from copper and copper alloys, and analyzed. the analysis results revealed a bluish green pigmentation, and the chromaticity, particle shape, and oil absorption quantity of each verdigris differed based on the type of copper alloy used in its preparation. The main components of verdigris are Cu, Sn, Zn and Pb, and their proportions depended on the type of copper alloy used during manufacturing. However, the main constituent mineral of the pigments is the same as 'hoganite[Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O]', regardless of the copper alloy used. The result of accelerated weathering test for stability evaluation revealed that verdigris was discolored rapidly, thereby indicating that its stability was low, in particular, the pigments comprising lead presented relatively lower stability.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.150-167
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• 2020

The purpose of this paper is to share the status and introduce a scientific analysis of the GeumguJagi (gilt-silver overlay porcelain, 金釦瓷器) excavated from Seongneung (石陵). This analysis aimed to highlight the GeumguJagi excavated from the Royal Tombs of Goryeo with a clear lower year (1237) and to aid research into the GeumguJagi. In 2001, the National Institute of Cultural Heritage excavated and investigated Seongneung in Heejong (熙宗). Various artifacts such as celadon, gold, bronze, and iron products were collected from the chambers inside of the tomb. There were a total of 160 celadon items including bowls, dishes, glasses, and saucers. Of those, there were 58 celadon items (including fragments) with metal frames on the openings. These consisted of bowls, plates, lids, and saucers. Until recently, in various exhibitions and papers, only one GeumguJagi was known to have been excavated from Seongneung, which was a . However, the survey identified a number of further GeumguJagis. It had been understood from inherited and excavated products that the materials used for ornaments were restricted to high-quality celadon. However, this study confirmed that the excavation of Seongneung demonstrated the use of various other materials for different models and qualities of GeumguJagis. It can be said that it is characteristic that various models and quality are confirmed together through the excavation of Seongneung. A scientific analysis was carried out that selected 12 of 58 products excavated from Seongneung. Results showed that the main component used for Geumgu ornaments was tin (Sn), and trace amounts of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were also commonly identified. When analyzing the material used to affix the metal fittings, this was found to be glue (膠) made from animal skins, muscle, and bones. This pattern matches that of the GeumguJagi excavated from Paju Hyeeumwonji, and the reason for this could be assumed on the basis of the contents of the 『Cheongonggaemul (天工開物)』 written by Song Ongsung (宋應星) during the Ming Dynasty. At that time, metals such as tin and copper would have been difficult to obtain. 『Xuānhwafengshi Gaolitujing (宣和奉使高麗圖經)』 shows that the use of metal was limited to certain classes; thus, the use of the GeumguJagi seems to have been centered around the royal family.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.30
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• pp.23-46
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• 2023

The Jija Chongtong Gun, owned by Seokdang Museum of Dong-A University, is a tubedstyle heavy weapon of the battlefield in the mid-Joseon Dynasty and is the second largest firearm after Cheonja Chongtong. The original surface color of the Jija Chongtong Gun was obscured by foreign substances and therefore it was judged that its condition requires the conservation treatment. For stable conservation treatment, gamma ray and X-ray non-destructive transmission surveys was conducted to determine the internal structure and conservation condition. And the component analysis on the material components and surface contaminants of Jija Chongtong Gun was conducted by utilizing the p-XRF component analysis, SEM-EDS component analysis, and XRD analysis. As a result of the gamma-ray and X-ray non-destructive transmission investigation, a large amount of air bubbles was observed inside Jija Chongtong Gun, and the part that appeared to be a chaplet by visual observation was not identified. As a result of gamma-ray and p-XRF component analysis, it was confirmed that Jija Chongtong Gun was bronze made of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) alloy. As a result of surface analysis of foreign substances using SEM-EDS, it was confirmed that the main components of white foreign substances were calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and titanium (Ti). Titanium was presumed to be titanium dioxide (TiO₂), the main component of white correction fluid. The red foreign substance was confirmed to contain barium (Ba) as its main ingredient, and was presumed to be barium sulfate (BaSO₄), an extender pigment in paint. White and red contaminants, mainly composed of titanium and barium, are presumed to have been deposited on the surface in recent years. The yellow foreign substances were confirmed to be aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si), and were presumed to have originated from soil components. As a result of SEM-EDS and XRD component analysis, the white foreign substance was confirmed to be gypsum (CaS). Based on the results of component analysis, surface impurities were removed, stabilization treatment, and strengthening treatment were performed. During the conservation process, unknown inscriptions Woo (右), Byeong (兵), Sang (上), and Yi (二) were discovered through a portable microscope and precise 3D scanning. In addition, the carving method, depth, and width of the inscription were measured. Woo Byeong Sang is located above Happo Fortress in Changwon, and Yi can be identified as the second hill.