What did The Six Formulas of Bronze Alloy look like?

A documented formula system: six copper-tin ratios specified for different uses — bells and cauldrons (6:1), axes (5:1), dagger-axes and halberds (4:1), and so on.

How did The Six Formulas of Bronze Alloy work?

Copper-tin alloying: higher tin content increases hardness but also brittleness. The Six Formulas precisely balance ratios for different application requirements.

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《考工记》六齐合金配比

The Six Formulas of Bronze Alloy

The world's first quantitative alloy metallurgical formula, precisely controlling copper-to-tin ratios to achieve the hardness, toughness, and brittleness required for different implements.

《考工记

Scientific Principle

Alloy phase diagrams: the α/β/δ phase proportions in Cu-Sn alloys determine hardness and brittleness. Tin content of 6-20% corresponds to different mechanical properties.