Abstract This paper demonstrates the possible nondestructive analysis of iron artifacts’ metallurgical characteristics using neutron imaging. Ancient kingdoms of the Korean Peninsula used a direct smelting process for ore smelting and iron bloom production; however, the use of iron blooms was difficult because of their low strength and purity. For reinforcement, iron ingots were produced through refining and forge welding, which then underwent various processes to create different iron goods. To demonstrate the potential analysis using neutron imaging, while ensuring artifacts’ safety, a sand iron ingot (SI–I) produced using ancient traditional iron making techniques and a sand iron knife (SI–K) made of SI–I were selected. SI–I was cut into 9 cm2, whereas the entirety of SI–K was preserved for analysis. SI–I was found to have an average grain size of 3 μm, with observed α-Fe (ferrite) and pearlite with a body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice structure. SI–K had a grain size of 1–3 μm, α-Ferrite on its backside, and martensite with a body-centered tetragonal (BCT) structure on its blade. Results show that the sample’s metallurgical characteristics can be identified through neutron imaging only, without losing any part of the valuable artifacts, indicating applicability to cultural artifacts requiring complete preservation.

中文翻译：

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韩国古代炼铁技术制造的铁制品冶金特性的中子成像

摘要 本文论证了利用中子成像对铁制品的冶金特征进行无损分析的可能性。朝鲜半岛的古代王国使用直接冶炼工艺进行矿石冶炼和铁花生产；然而，由于强度和纯度低，使用铁花很困难。在加固方面，通过精炼和锻焊生产铁锭，然后经过各种工艺制成不同的铁制品。为了证明使用中子成像进行的电位分析，同时确保文物的安全，选择了使用古代传统炼铁技术生产的砂铁锭 (SI-I) 和由 SI-I 制成的砂铁刀 (SI-K)。SI-I 被切成 9 cm2，而整个 SI-K 被保留用于分析。发现 SI-I 的平均晶粒尺寸为 3 μm，观察到具有体心立方 (BCC) 晶格结构的 α-Fe（铁素体）和珠光体。SI-K 的晶粒尺寸为 1-3 μm，背面为 α-铁素体，叶片为体心四方 (BCT) 结构的马氏体。结果表明，仅通过中子成像即可识别样品的金相特征，不会丢失任何有价值的文物，表明适用于需要完整保存的文物。