Electrochemical monitoring of the storage or stabilization of archaeological copper-based artifacts in sodium sesquicarbonate solutions
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Book Chapter |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/14tmh_3.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARIES. Archaeological copper-based artifacts recovered from wet and salty environments are often stored or stabilized in sodium sesquicarbonate solutions. Modification of the natural patina and development of active corrosion can occur during these processes, which implies the need for monitoring storage/stabilization processes. The focus of the study consists of examining how corrosion potential (Ecorr) measurements and voltammetric curves can contribute in providing information on the effectiveness of storage and stabilization treatments. Particular attention is given to side effects such as the transformation of the corrosion layers. CONCLUSIONS. Artificially formed patinas on copper are certainly affected during the immersion in 1 per cent (by mass) sodium sesquicarbonate as is shown both by Ecorr and voltammetric measurements. Cuprite does not transform in other corrosion products but the thickness of the cuprite layer changes with time. Nantokite on the other hand is converted to cuprite and paratacamite. Later on malachite forms. Similar results were obtained with the samples covered with atacamite and with a mixture of atacamite and paratacamite. Monitoring of the corrosion potential with time appears as a very promising and simple technique to record these transformations, particularly when the corrosion layers are made of a single corrosion product. Further research is required in the case of real artifacts that are commonly covered with a stratigraphy of different corrosion products, which are all affected separately by the solution used. |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | ISBN 1-84407-253-3 |
