This study is based on the SEM-EDS and LA-ICP-AES analyses of a sample of twenty-nine Tang sancai sherds unearthed from the Liquanfang site, Xi’an city. The results indicate that ceramics with yellowish bodies are calcareous and those with red bodies were made of ferruginous clays.
Copper is considered to be the first metal used by man and has been mined for more than 10,000 years. Since copper is a soft, malleable metal, early civilizations learned to fashion tools, containers, ornaments and weapons from it. Once it was discovered that the addition of a small amount of tin to molten copper produced an alloy that was harder than copper, the Bronze Age had begun.
There are many applications where the ability to measure the halogen elements, at the same time as the metallic elements, is desirable. A few of these include the measurements of Cl and Br in refinery process fluids, the measurement of Cl and Br in waste oils and the determination of Cl-, Br- and I- in food supplements and drinking water.
Carbon steels are by far the most frequently used steels. More than 85% of the steel produced in the US is carbon steel. These steels are classified by their carbon content. Table 1 shows the classification of carbon steels and some typical uses.
In the context of the present study, we have conducted chemical and lead isotope analyses on twelve ancient glass samples unearthed from Chu tombs in Changde City, Hunan Province. The results of the chemical analysis of these samples show that all samples are PbOeBaOeSiO2 glasses, thus indicating that they are all traditional ancient Chinese glasses.
The Ding kilns were some of the most famous early kilns of medieval China, producing huge quantities of white and cream-white porcelains of outstanding technical and aesthetic quality. Since 1949 they have been excavated three times, in 1965, in 1987, and in 2009 respectively.
Stainless steels are a corrosion resistant family of iron alloys that have a minimum of 10.5% Chromium. Their corrosion resistance is largely due to the formation of a passive chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3) layer, approximately 1 to 5 nanometers (nm) thick, on the surface of the steel. If this layer is damaged by cutting, scratching or abrasion, it will regenerate, provided sufficient oxygen is available.
Lead-based paints have been used extensively for painting the interior and exterior surfaces of homes. These paints were applied to almost any surface; however, they were most commonly found on interior and exterior woodwork including: doors, window frames and windowsills, cupboards and interior moldings.
