• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2012

'Jikjisimcheyocheal (Jikji afterwards)' is known as a first book printed by the metal type in the world. The metal type used for printing this book has not been found yet. To help for replicating the original metal type, it is required to investigate the composition analysis of the copied metal type. In this study, the composition analysis and thermodynamic care for replicating of ancient metal type was performed on the basis of an analytical reports concerned with the ancient metal type which made after Jikji printing. Metal types were made by remelting and casting of the mother alloy which came from a cast of a mixed metals in accordance with the composition revealed in the literatures. Change of composition during remelting of mother alloy and casting of metal was detected by the EDS analysis. The reasons for variation in composition were discussed by metallurgical and thermodynamic point of view, and a mixing ratio of metals to get the original composition of ancient metal type is suggested. Some attention should be paid on mixing, melting and casting of metals to get an objected composition for copy of ancient metal type.