• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.179-189
• /
• 2021

In this study, the research objects are gilt plated silver-iron nails excavated from the west of the tombs in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. A gilt plated silver-iron nail was fabricated by combining silver and iron via heating and then gilding amalgam on top of this combination, demonstrating that this ancient artifact that can be replicated using current technology. Since the metal (Au, Ag) surface of these gilt plated artifacts are covered with iron oxide, which slips into the cracks and scratches of the artifacts as well, desalination is essential. Based on the results of the preliminary experiment, the research objects were classified into grades A, B, and C, according to the degree of corrosion and then desalinated using an alkali solution (NaOH, Sodium Sesquicarbonate of 0.1 M) at 60℃. The results demonstrate that the more serious is the degree of corrosion, the more is the amount of Cl^- detected. Further, more Cl^- was released when NaOH was used than when sodium sesquicarbonate was used, for all grades except Grade A. Furthermore, the more serious is the degree of corrosion, the longer is the desalination period and the reaction with NaOH for all grades except Grade A. A comparison of the Fe composition of the surface before and after desalination shows that Fe composition is the use of NaOH resulted in a smaller increase compared with the use of sodium sesquicarbonate, for all grades except Grade B. However, four of the nails were damaged owing to NaOH (Grade B 3ea, Grade C 1ea) during desalination. Thus, Cl^- ions are more stably released when sodium sesquicarbonate is used than when NaOH is used.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.289-300
• /
• 2022

In the 6^th and 7^th centuries, 5 iron artifacts excavated form the Baekje Stone Tomb in Guryong-ri site, Ungcheon, Boryeong, were studied. The sample were metal microscopic observation, SEM-EDS analysis and Raman micro-spectroscopy analysis were conducted to understand the metallurgical characteristics. The microstructure observation showed the presence of ferrite and pearlite throughout, and differences in carbon content existed depending on the direction. Non-metallic inclusions were in the form of long lines, and most of them were wüstite, fayalite. It is indicated that the artifacts were forge welded using hypoeutectoid steel, with signs of carburizing and decarburizing processes. Some crystals with high P₂O₅, TiO₂, CaO content were identified as sarcopside, ulvöspinel, and perovskite, respectively, through Raman spectroscopy. A comparison of the results with previous studies on the sites of Bujang-ri site in Seosan and Bongseon-ri site in Seocheon, which are adjacent sites in the coastal area, revealed that, while heat treatment technology was available, the artifacts were not heat-treated considering the purpose for use for these artifacts. The chemical composition of the non-metallic inclusions P₂O₅, TiO₂, CaO were plotted in proportions to SiO₂ and compared with adjacent sites. Considering that the P₂O₅/SiO₂ ratio was widely distributed, the refining technology was not uniform. In addition, the TiO₂/SiO₂ ratio was found to be higher than that of other sites, meaning that a titanium-containing ore was used to manufacture the artifacts, unlike in surrounding sites, but it is not detected in all artifacts, so it may have been affected by various factors such as furnace walls in addition to raw materials. Although slag formers were used, considering the CaO/SiO₂ ratio and the (Al₂O₃/SiO₂)/(CaO/SiO₂) ratio, which appear to be similar to the surrounding sites, but it is possible that CaO containing raw ore was used because it is also affected by the components of raw ore. As a result of the study, it is highly likely that ore different from that of the surrounding sites was used for production, but a more comprehensive comparative study with the surrounding sites is needed in the future.

• Conservation Science in Museum
• /
• v.30
• /
• pp.101-126
• /
• 2023

Bogjeon chongtong, a military firearm from the Joseon Dynasty, remains undocumented with extant ones only discovered relatively recently. This study examined the structural and material characteristics of the bogjeon chongtong by comparing the specifications, shapes, inscriptions, and components of 12 pieces of bogjeon chongtong, which have not been described in detail to date. Bogjeon chongtong has certain set properties in terms of its specifications and shapes. This study also estimated the number of projectiles fired at once by comparing the specifications and records. In terms of design, the handle slot has an outline engraved in relief along with the name of the artifact. The inscribed outline is the most notable feature of the bogjeon chongtong that is not seen in other chongtong artifacts. Therefore, this study analyzed the inscription techniques used in the production process. The main ingredients of bogjeon chongtong are copper and tin, with a tin content of 6wt%. It was confirmed that this is highly similar to the average composition of bronze gunpowder weapons of the Joseon Dynasty as identified in prior research, and that it is also similar to the bronze gunmetal of medieval Europe. These conclusions were drawn in consideration of the material properties required for gunpowder weapons, which allows the inference that the materials used for firearms were selected by prioritizing functionality based on the alloy ratio.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.172-189
• /
• 2016

In this research, literature research on the Odong material, mixture ratio, casting method and casting facility was conducted on contemporary documents, such as Cheongong Geamul. Also, a long sword was produced using the Odong inlay technique. The sword reproduction steps were as follows; Odong alloying, silver soldering alloying, Odong plate and Silver plate production, hilt and sheath production, metal frame and decorative elements, such as a Dugup (metal frame), production, Odong inlay assembly and final assembly. For the Odong alloy production, the mixture ratio of the true Odong, which has copper and gold ratio of 20:1, was used. This is traditional ratio for high quality product according to $17^{th}$ century metallurgy instruction manual. The silver soldering alloy was produced with silver and brass(Cu 7 : Zn 3) ratio of 5:1 for inlay purpose and 5:2 ratio for simple welding purpose. The true Odong alloy laminated with silver plate was used to produce hilt and sheath. The alloy went through annealing and forging steps to make it into 0.6 mm thick plate and its backing layer, which is a silver plate, had the matching thickness. After the two plates were adhered, the laminated plate went through annealing, forging, engraving, silver inlaying, shaping, silver welding, finishing and polishing steps. During the Odong colouring process, its red surface turns black by induced corrosion and different hues can be achieved depending on its quality. To accomplish the silver inlay Odong techniques, a Hanji saturated with thirty day old urine is wrapped around a hilt and sheath material, then it is left at warm room temperature for two to three hours. The Odong's surface will turn black when silver inlay remains unchanged. Various scientific analysis were conducted to study composition of recreated Odong panel, silver soldering, silver plate and the colouring agent on Odong's surface. The recreated Odong had average out at Cu 95.57 wt% Au 4.16wt% and Cu 98.04 wt% Au 1.95wt%, when documented ratio in the old record is Cu 95wt% and Au 5wt%. The recreated Odong was prone to surface breakage during manufacturing process unlike material made with composition ratio written in the old record. On the silver plate of the silver and Odong laminate, 100wt% Ag was detected and between the two layers Cu, Ag and Au were detected. This proves that the adhesion between the two layers was successfully achieved. The silver soldering had varied composition of Ag depending on the location. This shows uneven composition of the silver welding. A large quantities of S, that was not initially present, was detected on the surface of the black Odong. This indicates that presence of S has influence on Odong colour. Additional study on the chromaticity, additional chemical compounds and its restoration are needed for the further understanding of the origin of Odong colour. The result of Odong alloy testing and recreation, Odong silver inlay long sword production, scientific analysis of the Odong black colouring agent will form an important foundation of knowledge for conservation of Odong artifact.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.102-112
• /
• 2008

We developed a high-resolution micro-CT system based on rotational gantry and flat-panel detector for live mouse imaging. This system is composed primarily of an x-ray source with micro-focal spot size, a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) flat panel detector coupled with Csl (TI) (thallium-doped cesium iodide) scintillator, a linearly moving couch, a rotational gantry coupled with positioning encoder, and a parallel processing system for image data. This system was designed to be of the gantry-rotation type which has several advantages in obtaining CT images of live mice, namely, the relative ease of minimizing the motion artifact of the mice and the capability of administering respiratory anesthesia during scanning. We evaluated the spatial resolution, image contrast, and uniformity of the CT system using CT phantoms. As the results, the spatial resolution of the system was approximately the 11.3 cycles/mm at 10% of the MTF curve, and the radiation dose to the mice was 81.5 mGy. The minimal resolving contrast was found to be less than 46 CT numbers on low-contrast phantom imaging test. We found that the image non-uniformity was approximately 70 CT numbers at a voxel size of ${\sim}55{\times}55{\times}X100\;{\mu}^3$. We present the image test results of the skull and lung, and body of the live mice.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.210-223
• /
• 2014

When sarira reliquary was found in stone pagoda of Mireuksa Temple, there were 494 gold artifacts, including inner gold pot, gold plate with inscription for Sarira enshrinement, etc. Most of gold artifacts were crafted, but there were 22 gold plates and 4 gold ingots, which did not have any specific shape. It was considered that they had not been crafted. Since gold exists as a metal rather than a metallic oxide in nature, in general, it can be crafted by melting and shaping. However, gold in nature has impurities so it has to be refined to have malleability. The characteristic features were identified through the analysis of gold artifacts from sarira reliquary found in stone pagoda of Mireuksa Temple. The analysis result showed that there were 3 types of gold; pure gold artifacts, artifacts produced with silver containing gold and natural gold ingots. Inner gold pot, gold earrings and gold small beads were produced with pure gold and they contained less than 1wt.% of copper. It seemed like they were produced as pure gold to be shaped by hammering. Gold plate with inscription, tweezers, gold earrings, ingots, etc. were produced with silver containing gold as they had to be more solid. Gold ingots seemed to be natural gold considering the distribution of silver and copper in them, but it cannot be concluded as there are not enough information on gold ingots in Korea. The comprehensive research on gold ingots from various regions in Korea has to be carried out to confirm the above. Sarira Reliquary showed the very sophisticated gold craftsmanship. Gold ingots with the inscriptions, which say 1 nyang, were approximately 14g. Considering the weight of these ingots as standard, weights of other ingots were half nyang(7g), 2 nyang(28g), etc.