Which materials issue limits uniform cast iron production consistency in early Chinese foundries?

💡 Explanation

Sulfur reacted irreversibly with iron, forming brittle iron sulfide inclusions, hindering uniform structure, because it promoted cementite formation; therefore, sulfur contamination was a major barrier to ancient cast iron rather than manganese or silicon concerns because manganese was beneficial with increasing hardness in ancient Chinese ironworking with ancient quenching methods.

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