• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.581-593
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• 2018

Studies on ancient iron production technologies still have challenges to overcome, although there have been many results that have enabled us to understand these old technologies. The purpose of this study is to propose a suitable temperature condition for smelting experiments. The target for reconstruction is a smelting-smithing process in the ancient Jungwon area, and the experiment was designed on the basis of published research, such as archaeological evidence. Experiment A was performed at a low temperature to produce low-carbon iron, while Experiment B was conducted at a relatively high temperature to synthesize high-carbon iron. In addition, the low-carbon iron proved to be suitable for the smithing process. Moreover, aspects such as the microstructure and chemical composition of the slag and the surface condition of the furnace wall showed that the low-temperature smelting process was closer to the ancient method. It is important to mention the premise that the reconstruction of ancient technology can be achieved when the results of an experiment replicate the conditions of a real site. The results show that direct smelting, which produces low-carbon iron bloom under a low-temperature condition, should be the subject of smelting experiments concerning the iron production technologies of the ancient Jungwon area.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.738-747
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• 2021

This study attempted to investigate the metallurgical characteristic through material scientific analysis of hammer scale produced as a direct smelting method restoration experiment for each raw material of iron. To this end, four hammer scale groups were set up, respectively, by experimenting with Gyeongju-Gampo Iron sand and Yangyang Iron ore. For the analysis, principal component analysis, compound analysis, microstructure observation, and chemical composition were confirmed. As a result of principal component analysis, as forging and refining progressed, the content of Fe increased and the content of non-metallic objects decreased. As a result of compound analysis, iron oxide-based compounds were identified. As a result of confirming microstructure and chemical composition, Wüstite and Fayalite were observed overall, and agglomerated Wüstite were observed in some. Magnetite on shape of polygon and pillar was observed. In addition, it was confirmed that internal defects, impurities, and non-metallic interventions gradually decreased. In the future, it is necessary to investigate the metallurgical characteristic through material scientific analysis of hammer scale produced through restoration experiments using various raw material of iron, and compare them with those excavated from Iron manufacture ruins.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.317-329
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• 2019

Slag was collected from the iron-producing furnace site in Saengsoegol, Baegun mountain, where iron was manufactured by a righteous army against Japan in the Gwangyang region; then, the iron-manufacturing technique of the early modern period was investigated through scientific analysis. In the microstructure analysis results of the selected samples, iron bloom was mainly observed together with magnetite and fayalite. In the component analysis results of the compounds, it was confirmed that the furnace was built by using gangue of alkali feldspar or plagioclase series, and the ironmaking work was performed at a high temperature of at least 1050℃, because mullite was identified together with cristobalite and hercynite. Based on the chemical composition, it was speculated that low-grade iron ores were used as raw materials, and it seemed that the yield was low, because the total Fe content of the smelting slag samples was 37.72-49.93%. It was difficult to confirm whether a slag former was used, and it seemed that materials easily obtained nearby were used when the furnace was built, without considering the corrosion resistance. It appeared that the ironmaking work was performed at the Gwangyang Saengsoegol iron-producing furnace based on the direct ironmaking method in an environment that could escape the vigilance of the Japanese Empire to produce weapons that would be used for the resistance against Japan. It seemed that there was neither an advanced ironware production system nor a mass production system, and small-scale works were performed in short periods of time.