Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty

Abstract The long ring pommel Dao (a kind of single-edged blade), a significant indigenous Chinese weaponry innovation of the Western Han Dynasty, is researched this study. Employing a comparative research methodology, we conduct a scientific analysis of samples excavated from the tombs of marquisat...

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Main Authors: Shen-yang Song, Wei Qian, Xin-tong Lu, Mo-kun Shan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92785-0
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author Shen-yang Song
Wei Qian
Xin-tong Lu
Mo-kun Shan
author_facet Shen-yang Song
Wei Qian
Xin-tong Lu
Mo-kun Shan
author_sort Shen-yang Song
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The long ring pommel Dao (a kind of single-edged blade), a significant indigenous Chinese weaponry innovation of the Western Han Dynasty, is researched this study. Employing a comparative research methodology, we conduct a scientific analysis of samples excavated from the tombs of marquisates across various regions of China, spanning from the northern to the southern extremities. This analysis encompasses metallographic examination, inclusion composition analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), complemented by the application of a metallurgical kinetic model to reconstruct key smelting operations. The semifinished materials of the long ring pommel Dao are sourced from two primary origins: bloomery carburized steel and cast iron-puddling joint decarburization steel (cast iron-Chaogang steel). Both pathways exhibit a predominance of FeOx·SiO2y oxide inclusions. Our investigation particularly emphasizes the Fe2SiO4 inclusions, which have a melting point of 1178℃. By leveraging the length/width ratio of Fe2SiO4 inclusions, we can ascertain whether the smelting process involved an all-liquid phase. Notably, the length/width ratio of Fe2SiO4 inclusions in the cast iron-puddling joint process exceeded 5. Additionally, our findings reveal that during the cast iron-puddling joint decarburization process, when the forging temperature falls below 880℃, the mesh-like Fe2SiO4 inclusions undergo fragmentation. This phenomenon provides crucial insights into the forging system of the Han Dynasty, facilitating a more detailed reconstruction of its metallurgical practices.
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spelling doaj-art-4463070d13fc4a5ca465061ec63b9f482025-08-20T03:02:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-92785-0Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynastyShen-yang Song0Wei Qian1Xin-tong Lu2Mo-kun Shan3Institute of Cultural Heritage and History of Science & Technology, University of Science and Technology BeijingInstitute of Cultural Heritage and History of Science & Technology, University of Science and Technology BeijingInstitute of Cultural Heritage and History of Science & Technology, University of Science and Technology BeijingInstitute of Cultural Heritage and History of Science & Technology, University of Science and Technology BeijingAbstract The long ring pommel Dao (a kind of single-edged blade), a significant indigenous Chinese weaponry innovation of the Western Han Dynasty, is researched this study. Employing a comparative research methodology, we conduct a scientific analysis of samples excavated from the tombs of marquisates across various regions of China, spanning from the northern to the southern extremities. This analysis encompasses metallographic examination, inclusion composition analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), complemented by the application of a metallurgical kinetic model to reconstruct key smelting operations. The semifinished materials of the long ring pommel Dao are sourced from two primary origins: bloomery carburized steel and cast iron-puddling joint decarburization steel (cast iron-Chaogang steel). Both pathways exhibit a predominance of FeOx·SiO2y oxide inclusions. Our investigation particularly emphasizes the Fe2SiO4 inclusions, which have a melting point of 1178℃. By leveraging the length/width ratio of Fe2SiO4 inclusions, we can ascertain whether the smelting process involved an all-liquid phase. Notably, the length/width ratio of Fe2SiO4 inclusions in the cast iron-puddling joint process exceeded 5. Additionally, our findings reveal that during the cast iron-puddling joint decarburization process, when the forging temperature falls below 880℃, the mesh-like Fe2SiO4 inclusions undergo fragmentation. This phenomenon provides crucial insights into the forging system of the Han Dynasty, facilitating a more detailed reconstruction of its metallurgical practices.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92785-0Long ring-pommel DaoFe2SiO4 inclusionIronmaking & steelmaking
spellingShingle Shen-yang Song
Wei Qian
Xin-tong Lu
Mo-kun Shan
Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty
Scientific Reports
Long ring-pommel Dao
Fe2SiO4 inclusion
Ironmaking & steelmaking
title Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty
title_full Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty
title_fullStr Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty
title_full_unstemmed Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty
title_short Ironmaking and steelmaking process research on Chinese long ring pommel Dao in Han dynasty
title_sort ironmaking and steelmaking process research on chinese long ring pommel dao in han dynasty
topic Long ring-pommel Dao
Fe2SiO4 inclusion
Ironmaking & steelmaking
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92785-0
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