• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.340-356
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• 2021

We have tried the experimental research of lost-wax casting to reconstruct Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva; preliminary and reconstruction experiment based on ancient texts. Main object to reconstruct is Korean National Treasure No.83, Gilt-Bronze Pensive Bodhisattva (Maitreya), then we measure alloy ratio and casting method based on the scientific analysis. Other impurities were removed from the base metal components(copper : tin : lead) and their ratio was set to 95.5 : 6.5 : 3 where the ratios for tin and lead were increased by 2.5% each. The piece-mold casting method was used, and piece-mold casting experiments were carried out twice in this study but supplementary research on piece-mold casting was necessary. The microstructure was confirmed to be typical cast microstructure and the component analysis result was similar to that of the prior study. Analysis of the chemical composition is confirmed to copper, tin, lead, and zinc, and the chemical composition of the matrix was 87.8%Cu-7.5%Sn-2.7%Pb-2.1%Zn, and similar to previous experimental research. Also resulted in the detection of small impurity in Zn. Analysis of the mould revealed that the mould was fabricated by adding quartz and organic matter for structural stability, fire resistance, and air permeability. We expect that our research will contribute to provide base data for advanced researches in future.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.538-544
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• 2022

In existing ceramic mold manufacturing processes, inorganic binder systems (Si-Na, two-component system) are applied to ensure the effective firing strength of the ceramic mold and core. These inorganic binder systems makes it possible to manufacture a ceramic mold and core with high dimensional stability and effective strength. However, as in general sand casting processes, when molten metal is injected at room temperature, there is a limit to the production of thin or complex castings due to reduced fluidity caused by the rapid cooling of the molten metal. In addition, because sodium silicate generated through the vitrification reaction of the inorganic binder is converted into a liquid phase at a temperature of 1,000 ℃. or higher, it is somewhat difficult to manufacture parts through high-temperature casting. Therefore, in this study, a high-strength ceramic mold and core test piece with effective strength at high temperature was produced by applying a Si-Na-Ti three-component inorganic binder. The starting particles were coated with binary and ternary inorganic binders and mixed with an organic binder to prepare a molded body, and then heat-treated at 1,000/1,350/1,500 ℃ to prepare a fired body. In the sample where the two-component inorganic binder was applied, the glass was liquefied at a temperature of 1,000 ℃ or higher, and the strength decreased. However, the firing strength of the ceramic mold sample containing the three-component inorganic binder was improved, and it was confirmed that it was possible to manufacture a ceramic mold and core via high temperature casting.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2018

In a numerical study, equations relating the mechanical properties and cooling rate in a casting process have been applied to an AC4CH cast aluminum alloy. Good agreement was found between the measured and predicted material properties. Step-shaped steel blocks were made to comprise a casting mold with a Y-shaped cavity. Thermometers were inserted into each step of the mold to investigate temperature changes. The microstructure and mechanical properties, such as hardness and tensile stress were measured for each cut of piece. The correlation between the cooling rate and SDAS was found by curved fitting. Moreover, both the solidification time and the temperature were simulated using a commercial package, ZCast. The simulation results for yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and hardness were compared with experimental results. Using the estimated K and n values, the hardness values of a ship propeller were simulated, and the results were similar to those obtained for actual castings.

• 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.