Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Metal 3D printing typically requires high energy laser or electron sources. Recently, 3D printing using metal filled filaments becomes available which uses PLA filaments filled with metal powders (such as copper, bronze, brass, and stainless steel). Although there are some studies on their printability, the detailed study of their sintering and characterizations is still missing. In this study, the research is focused on 3D printing of bronze filaments. Bronze is a popular metal for many important uses. The objectives of this research project are to study the optimal processing conditions (like printer settings, nozzle, and bed temperatures) to print bronze metal filament, develop the sintering conditions (temperature and duration), and characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties of 3D printed specimens to produce strong specimens. The thesis includes three components: (1) 3D printing and sintering at selected conditions, following a design of experiment (DOE) principle; (2) microstructure and compositional characterizations; and (3) mechanical property characterization. The results show that it is feasible to print using bronze filaments using a typical FDM machine with optimized printing settings. XRD spectrums show that there is no effect of sintering temperature on the composition of the printed parts. SEM images illustrate the porous structure of the printed and sintered parts, suggesting the need to optimize the process to improve the density. The micro hardness and three-point bending tests show that the mechanical strengths are highly related to the sintering conditions. This study provides important information of applying the bronze filament in future engineering applications.

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Sealstones are one of the most important types of artifacts discovered in the Aegean Bronze Age. Their practical use for recording and administrating purposes, their association with identity, prestige and social status, their possible religious or ritual connotations speak clearly for their importance and value. The fact that they are deposited, among other artifacts in tombs, accompanying their owners, demonstrate this value not only in life but also in death. Especially in the pre-palatial period in Crete a large number of seals have come to light, coming mostly from mixed contexts in the Mesara and Asterousia, in south Crete. The Minoan pre-palatial sealstones from Archanes-Phourni comprise an important corpus of artifacts for many reasons. They come from a site in the North of the island, in contrast to the majority of pre-palatial seals. The excavation and recording techniques used offer the opportunity to study the seals in their context, which is dated with relative certainty. The study of these seals, in comparison with the published ones from the south of the island, may offer significant information about important aspects of life in this period. The examination of materials, shapes, motifs, style groups and consumption patterns of seals may present us with useful insights about craft specialization and technology, internal and external exchange, economic organization and administration, religion and ritual, social differentiation and organization in the pre-palatial period. The study of this multiple and complex role of sealstones can offer us valuable information about the period before the first palaces.

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Pendant les dernières trente années le centre historique de la ville Fossano (Coni, Piémont) a été intéressé par nombreuses fouilles et plusieurs sondages archéologiques à la suite des fréquents travaux de construction. Ces interventions, liées au développement de la ville, ont toujours eu un caractère d'urgence, de sauvetage, préventif, sans être jamais liées à une programmation précédente. L'étude de chaque site a imposé du début l’analyse approfondie des modalités d'intervention et de la méthodologie de fouille. Dans la plupart des cas, l'analyse stratigraphique a été liée à celle du mobilier archéologique, qui, en absence de structures protohistoriques ou de niveaux anthropiques en place, est le seul élément qui nous a permis de dater la première période d’occupation du site. Est possible dater au XIe siècle av. J.-C. (Ha B1 ancien du plateau suisse) le début d’une présence humaine permanente sur toute la surface sommitale du plateau de Fossano, avec son apogée pendant la transition Bronze/Fer italien. Le groupe céramique de Fossano se place dans un contexte culturel propre de la fin du l'âge du Bronze final du nord-ouest de l'Italie, intermédiaire entre la culture du Protogolasecca de la Lombardie et du Piémont orientale et la culture RSFO. Dans ces territoires au l'extrême nord-ouest de l’Italie les influences RSFO sont très profondes, surtout de la Suisse occidentale et des régions de l’est de la France. Les caractéristiques spécifiques du Piémont occidentale le rendant plus apparenté aux complexes nord alpins qu'à ceux de l'Italie péninsulaire, jouant un rôle fondamental dans le tableau des relations entre les deux versants alpins pendant toute la préhistoire. / During the last thirty years the historic center of Fossano (Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy) has undergone numerous archaeological excavations and survey as a result of many construction works related to the development of the city. These operations have never been programmed, but always related to emergency situations or preventive archaeology. The study of each site imposed an early-depth analysis of the applied methods of intervention and excavation. In most cases, the stratigraphic analysis is linked to the archaeological material, which, in the absence of proper prehistorical levels or structures, is the only element that has allowed us to date the early moments of occupation of the site. The beginning of a permanent human presence on the Fossano plateau is Probably dated to the end of the 11th century BC (Ha B1 in the Swiss plateau), with its peak during the transition between the Italian Bronze age and Iron age. The ceramic group of Fossano is located in the final Italian Bronze age in the Northwest of Italy, intermediate between the culture of Protogolasecca of Lombardy and eastern Piedmont and the RSFO culture. In these territories, in the extreme north-west of Italy, the RSFO influences are very strong, especially from the western territories of Switzerland and the eastern regions of France. The specific characteristics of western Piedmont making it more similar to the northern Alpine complex as those of the Italian peninsula; playing a fundamental role in the relations between the two sides of the Alpes during the prehistory.