• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.1619-1625
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• 2021

This paper demonstrates the possible nondestructive analysis of iron artifacts' metallurgical characteristics using neutron imaging. Ancient kingdoms of the Korean Peninsula used a direct smelting process for ore smelting and iron bloom production; however, the use of iron blooms was difficult because of their low strength and purity. For reinforcement, iron ingots were produced through refining and forge welding, which then underwent various processes to create different iron goods. To demonstrate the potential analysis using neutron imaging, while ensuring artifacts' safety, a sand iron ingot (SI-I) produced using ancient traditional iron making techniques and a sand iron knife (SI-K) made of SI-I were selected. SI-I was cut into 9 cm², whereas the entirety of SI-K was preserved for analysis. SI-I was found to have an average grain size of 3 ㎛, with observed α-Fe (ferrite) and pearlite with a body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice structure. SI-K had a grain size of 1-3 ㎛, α-Ferrite on its backside, and martensite with a body-centered tetragonal (BCT) structure on its blade. Results show that the sample's metallurgical characteristics can be identified through neutron imaging only, without losing any part of the valuable artifacts, indicating applicability to cultural artifacts requiring complete preservation.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2021

This study analyzes six slags excavated from the iron making site in Gogi-ri, Namwon, Korea to understand the characteristics of the ruins, and to confirm the iron making process performed at the time. The chemical components of the iron making by-products from the Gogi-ri site were analyzed, and the findings indicate total Fe contents between 23.24% and 37.56%, which are lower than the typical total Fe content found in ancient iron making processes. The deoxidation agent contents of the slags ranged from 43.88% to 58.13%, which are higher than the typical deoxidation agent content of ancient iron making processes. The high content suggests smooth separation between iron and slags, and TiO₂ detected from the site suggests the use of materials with high titanium content in the iron making in the region. As for the microstructures of the slags, some slags have long pillar-shaped fayalites, while others have pillar-shaped wüstite along with ulvöspinel. Slags from the forging furnace show hammer scales created by both the earlier stages and later stages of forging work. The findings suggest that the iron making site in Gogi-ri, Namwon, Korea used to be an iron making facility where a full range of iron making process was carried out ranging from smelting to forging, and the ironmakers used a wide array of technologies to manufacture iron products.

• 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 Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.95-105
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the preparing methods of the traditional acupuncture needle and to interpret the electromagnetic meaning intervened in them. Methods : The overall manufacturing processes of the acupuncture needles in ancient books were surveyed. And the facts that special functional activities were carried out in common in the preparing processes were detected. The reproduction tests for the detected former functional activities were followed. Results : According to the ancient medical books, the traditional acupuncture needles were treated with the magnet through the preparing processes. The reproduction tests provided the fact that the ferromagnetic iron needles treated with the magnet were enhanced their magnetisms. And major techniques of the ancient supplementation and draining can be interpreted as magnetic or induced electromagnetic actions. Conclusions : Considering the electromagnetic characteristics of human body, the magnet treated ferromagnetic iron needles of ancient era and magnetic or induced electromagnetic interpretable manipulation techniques are the historical evidences of magnetic activities of acupuncture. So modern acupuncture therapy should be understood, studied, and reinterpreted as an electromagnetic viewpoint.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1975

The crorosion film of gilt bronz, silver and iron objects, which were excaved from Ancient Tomb of Silla Dynasty, was removed by the electrolytic reduction process. These metallic objects were mainly investigated for microstructure, designs and gilting film etc. Most iron objects might be made by hot forging process. The cold extrusion technique might be used for gold and silver objects, in addition to an amalgam method might be applied for the gilting Au film on Cu-alloy surface. For the gilting on glass surface, first, a Cu alloy was cladded on glass , next, Au-film was obtained on the Cu-ally by the amagum method.

• Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2012

The most widely excavated iron artifacts used as weapons or farm tools from central southern regions of Korea were subjects of non-metallic inclusion analysis through metallographic examination, microhardness measurement, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Through metallographic interpretation and study of the analyzed results, the steel manufacturing and iron smelting using heat processing in the iron artifacts excavated from the central southern region of the ancient Korean peninsula was studied, and the analysis of the non-metallic inclusions mixed within the metallic structures was interpreted as the ternary phase diagram of the oxide to infer the type of iron ores for the iron products and the temperature of the furnace used to smelt them. Most of the ancient forged iron artifacts showed $Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ with high $SiO_2$ contents and relatively low $Al_2O_3$ contents for iron ore, indicating t hat for $Al_2O_3$ below 5%, it is presumed that magnetic iron ores were reduced to bloom iron (sponge iron) with direct-reduction process for production. The temperature for extraction of wustite for $Al_2O_3$ below 1% was found to be $1,020{\sim}1,050^{\circ}C$. Considering the oxide ternary constitutional diagram of glassy inclusions, the steel-manufacturing temperature was presumed to have been near $1,150{\sim}1,280^{\circ}C$ in most cases, and minimum melting temperature of casting iron part excavated in Daeseong-ri. Gyeonggi was near $1,400^{\circ}C$, and it is thought that hypoeutectic cast iron of about 2.3% carbon was casted and fragility of cast iron was improved by decarburizing in solid state.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.1-4
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• 2003

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.148-165
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• 2015

Iron was one of the most influential factors for formation and development of ancient countries. The diffusion of ironware had increased agricultural productivity and brought about military technical revolution. Needless to say, the rise and fall of the countries depended on the possession of stable iron production. Raw materials and fuels are the key factors for mass production of iron and a transportation route is essential to supply the goods. Jungwon area satisfies the three factors. There are many iron manufacture sites such as Jincheon Seokjang-ri Gusan-ri, and Chunju Chilgeum-dong Tangeumdae earthen ramparts in the Jungwon area. In order to study the ancient iron manufacture technique, reconstitution experiment was carried out using restored furnace which was made based on the Jincheon Seokjang-ri B-23 furnace. Some notable results were identified with the experiment as in the followings. Firstly, a roasting process has a connection with the decrease of hardness of the iron ore. Secondly, melting of the blast pipe as well as the formation of product within the furnace had a crucial effect on the cessation of the experiment. Thirdly, reduced iron in various locations within the furnace prove that there was enough reducing environment during the working. Not only melting point but also properties of iron can vary depending on the carbon contents. For the reason, formation of approximate environment in which iron can react to the chalcoal is the most important factor in terms of iron manufacture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.281-295
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• 2017

This research is about the reproduction of Baekje's armor-lamellar made for the Hanseong Baekje Museum exhibition. The purpose of the research are as follows. First, to categorize Baekje armor by type based on ancient documents and the excavated relics. Second, to reproduce categorized armor that provide a visual work for use in diverse areas. Baekje armor can be examined through the ancient records and several excavated relics. The results of the research are as follows. First, Baekje armor can be categorized into four types by material: 1) brass 2) iron 3) leather 4) bone. The can also be categorized into three types by finishing a) Hyeongnyubongnyun type (the leather skin interweaves with the lamellar armor method) b) Hyeokpobongnyun type (the method which wraps around the edges of leather skin) c) leather cloth added to clothe type. Second, we reproduced metal armor, iron armor and leather armor using brass, iron and leather (but not bone). Each type of armor were made life-size for exhibition purposes. We used Hyeongnyubongnyun method, Hyeokpobongnyung method and leather cloth; in addition, reproductions were made based on the Yangdang method that connected the front and the back from both sides of the shoulders so it can be open and close at the side part.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.160-171
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• 2019

The sword with a ring pommel, which was excavated from the first stone chamber of the ancient tombs of Jeongchon Village in Naju, is a sword with a pentagon undecorated ring pommel consisting of a mother sword and two child swords. The sword with an undecorated ring pommel of Jeongchon comprises a ring pommel, a hilt, a knife, and a knife end decoration. This sword was coated with lacquer. The ring pommel is an iron frame covered with silver plate; however the silver tarnished into a light purple due to silver chloride corrosion, and iron corrosion originated from the inside is visible on the surface. Silver chloride corrosion is produced when silver objects are exposed to water, dissolved salts, and dissolved chloride ions when in a buried state. It changes objects into powder, making it difficult to preserve original shapes. The other silver artifacts found in the Jeongchon ancient tombs show similar signs of corrosion. The results of X-ray irradiation and a CT analysis showed that the sword had a ring at the end of the handle, a T-shaped hilt, and was probably connected to the handle end of a knife. If the shape of the mother sword can be inferred from the child swords, the mother sword had a ring pommel, decorations of the handle, covered with silver plate, and a gold ring and a silver line wound around the handle. It is assumed that the ring pommel was connected to the knife by welding because no holes were observed. The end decoration of the knife was made by using an iron plate formed into a shape, half covered by silk, and the other half decorated with silver plate and a gold ring. The sword with an undecorated ring pommel excavated from the ancient tombs of Jeongchon Village comprises the metals of gold, silver, and iron, and includes features of Baekje, Silla, and Gaya, which highlights the influence of surrounding historic sites and various cultures.