@inproceedings{b6b91bfd902040f7969528c6ac5eb3df,
title = "Composition and microstructures of imperial brass Chinese coins",
abstract = "Twenty brass Chinese cash coins with complex compositions were studied for a better understanding of the metallurgical cash production in China, during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Elemental composition was obtained through energy-dispersive micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of small cleaned areas on the coins rims. Results showed that these brass alloys (Cu-Zn) frequently contain up to 3% Sn, have highly variable Pb content (from n.d. up to 14%) and Fe, Sb, and As as minor elements. Microstructures were assessed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and preliminary micro X-ray diffraction analysis. All the coins present typical as-cast microstructures although very fine-grained, which are supported by binary (Cu-Zn) and ternary (Cu-Zn-Sn) equilibrium phase diagrams, that explain microstructural differences due to the presence of Sn in these brasses.",
keywords = "Brass alloys, Chinese coins, Cu-Zn binary system, Cu-Zn-Sn ternary systems, EDXRF, Elemental composition, Microstructure, SEMEDS",
author = "Furtado, {M. J.} and Silva, {R. J. C.} and Ara{\'u}jo, {M. F.} and {Braz Fernandes}, {F. M.}",
year = "2010",
month = feb,
day = "5",
doi = "10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.636-637.531",
language = "English",
isbn = "0878492887",
series = "Materials Science Forum",
publisher = "Trans Tech Publications",
pages = "531--537",
editor = "Rosa, {Lu{\'i}s Guerra } and Margarido, {Fernanda }",
booktitle = "Advanced Materials Forum V",
address = "Germany",
note = "5th International Materials Symposium MATERIAiS 2009 - 14th meeting of SPM - Sociedade Portuguesa de Materiais ; Conference date: 05-04-2009 Through 08-04-2009",
}