When did China Farming's pig iron smelting technology come into being?

The age when China began to use iron is still inconclusive. The earliest ironware found in archaeology belongs to the Spring and Autumn Period, and most of them were found in Changsha, Hunan. After the mid-Warring States period, the unearthed ironware was spread all over the seven countries at that time, and was used in all aspects of social production and life, occupying a major position in agriculture and handicrafts. The armies of Chu and Yan were basically equipped with iron weapons. The ironware of the Warring States period was also introduced to Japan through Korea. During the Western Han Dynasty, the use of iron was wider, the types and quantities of iron were significantly increased, and the quality was also improved. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, iron finally replaced bronze.

According to the metallographic examination of early ironware, China's lump ironmaking and pig iron may have been produced at the same time. The late Spring and Autumn Period to the early Warring States Period is an important development stage in the history of iron smelting in the Warring States Period. At this time, the early block ironmaking has been improved to block carburized steel, and white pig iron has developed into malleable cast iron. By the middle of the Western Han Dynasty, the decarburization of gray iron and cast iron rose, and then a new technology of pig iron frying steel (including wrought iron) appeared. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, steel frying and steelmaking continued to develop, and by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, steel pouring technology was introduced. At this point, the ancient smelting technology system with China characteristics was basically established.

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