Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c45.s7.14

v2.c45.s7.14

Presumably the ‘good variety of *ritikā* or *rīti*’ is alpha-brass which is known to withstand a remarkable degree of deformation by cold work without the slightest sign of fracture. The other variety of *ritikā*, which is not malleable, could be either high zinc (more than 30 per cent) beta-brass, having low ductility, or leaded brass.