Skilled mirror craft of intermetallic delta high-tin bronze (Cu31Sn8, 32.6% tin) from Aranmula, Kerala

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

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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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