Soldering technique of bronzes excavated from Jiuliandun tomb in Hubei province

The oldering technique of Bronzes Excavated from Jiuliandun Tomb of Warring States in Chinese Hubei Province was investigated.According to naked-eye observation, it was concluded the welded splice used mortise-tenons, with smooth and crinkly soldered joint by thermal processing and that the pouring gates were designed at the bottom or the side wall.The solders were investigated using diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray detection and differential scanning calorimetry.Results show that solders were composed of Pb-Sn alloys with average mixture ration about Pb73 and Sn27 by XRF analy sis, and the phase was as-cast microstructure observed by SEM, which indicated ancient people poured melting solder to connect different bronze parts, and the melting point of some solders existing in 180-186℃ by DSC, which meant they had low work temperature and the aim to produce them just were used as bronze sacrificial ware.