Search

In the village of Aranmula, Kerala, an extraordinary metal mirror is traditionally made of delta high-tin bronze, i.e. a binary copper-tin alloy of high tin content consisting almost entirely of the delta phase (σ), which is an intermetallic compound (Cu31Sn8) of composition 32.6% tin. This is an ideal alloy to polish into a mirror due to the silvery colour and high hardness. The presence of this delta phase is optimized, and its high brittleness off set by a clever casting and polishing process. This article puts together new insights based on the authors' field and technical investigations on how this mirror is skillfully made using low-technology, organic and everyday materials to get a sophisticated high-technology end-product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]