CHINESE MONUMENTAL IRON CASTINGS

Author: Wagner, Donald B.

Source: Journal of East Asian Archaeology, Volume 2, Numbers 3-4, 2000 , pp. 199-224(26)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

This article reviews the technical aspects of the production of very large iron castings in pre-modern China. Among the matters taken up are: the piece-moulding technique and the amelioration of the flash-lines which are unavoidable when this technique is used with white cast iron; the use of sulphur in producing better detail in the castings, and the effect of sulphur on the sound-quality of cast-iron bells; the use of wrought-iron reinforcement and stage-casting in the enormous Cangzhou Lion; the special problems involved in casting iron artillery; and the riddle of the lack of corrosion on many of the pre-modern monumental iron castings. The corrosion-resistance of the ancient iron castings may be related to their very low silicon content.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156852300760222119

Publication date: 2000-09-01