Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c28.s9.2

v1.c28.s9.2

Later, copper used to be alloyed with lead particularly in icons. We have mentioned about the lead globules in the Gujarat icons. Craddock (1983: 61-64) has discussed in great detail that lead was used to alloy copper in the ancient world for no good metallurgical reason. Lead is low-melting and insoluble in copper. The mobility of the alloy is improved only up to 2 per cent lead. At higher percentages, the insoluble globules link up to produce ‘lakes’ and seriously weaken lead-bronze interfaces. Hammering of such an alloy leads to cracking.