引用:
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作者fgasfgasg
依一般人的觀念
把「木質」改成「金屬」
頂多算是「改良」，稱不上是「發明」
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改成金屬也不是那麼簡單。
一般金屬遇冷收縮，
所以在鑄造活字時，
一些較細的筆畫或點會變太小而印不清楚。
另外選用金屬硬度要高，但卻不能太脆，這樣才耐用。
此外木質活字用的墨水用在金屬活字會有不易沾墨的問題。
古登堡就是解決這些問題，才讓歐洲從此進入金屬活字的時代。
韓國的金屬活字有沒有解決這些問題我就不清楚了。
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_metal
這裏面還說明了甚至不同的字型都有不同的合金組成。
General requirements for type-metal
Type metal should produce a true and sharp cast, and reproduce the matrix in all detail. The dimensions and form should be correct after cooling down.
Type metal should be strong and lasting, to endure wear and pressure while printing.
Type metal should be easy to cast, this means: a reasonable low melting temperature, iron should not dissolve in the molten metal, mould and nozzles should stay clean and easy to maintain.
The molten metal should be clean, while molten it should give as little dross as possible, to prevent loss of tin and antimony.
The economics have to be taken in account too: keeping the costs down would mean: keeping the content of tin and antimony as low as possible, and maintaining a high quality of the type produced.
Type metal should not adhere to the copper of the matrix.