Srinivasan, Sharada and Glover, Ian
(2007)
Skilled mirror craft of intermetallic delta high-tin bronze (Cu31Sn8, 32.6% tin) from Aranmula, Kerala.
Current Science, 93 (1).
pp. 35-40.
ISSN 0011-3891
| Abstract: |
In the village of Aranmula, Kerala, an extraordinary metal mirror is traditionally made of delta high-tin bronze, i.e. a binary copper–tin alloy of high tin content consisting almost entirely of the delta phase (d), which is an intermetallic compound (Cu31Sn8) of composition 32.6% tin. This is an ideal alloy to polish into a mirror due to the silvery colour and high hardness. The presence of this
delta phase is optimized, and its high brittleness offset by a clever casting and polishing process. This article puts together new insights based on the authors’ field and technical investigations on how this mirror is skillfully made using low-technology, organic and everyday materials to get a sophisticated high-technology end-product. |
| Item Type: |
Journal Paper
|
| Additional Information: |
Copyright belongs to the Publisher |
| Keywords: |
Craft, delta high-tin bronze, intermetallic compound, mirror |
| Subjects: |
School of Humanities > Archaeology |
| Divisions: |
Schools > Humanities |
| Date Deposited: |
21 Oct 2011 10:28 |
| Last Modified: |
08 May 2015 09:51 |
| Official URL: |
http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/jul102007/35.pdf |
| Related URLs: |
|
| Funders: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| Projects: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| DOI: |
|
| URI: |
http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/236 |
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