Corrosion and Conservation of Cultural Heritage Metallic Artefacts

Dr Philippe Dillmann is Head of the Archaeological Materials Laboratory at the Institut de Recherche sur les Archéomatériaux within the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CNRS/CEA). David Watkinson is Professor of Conservation at Cardiff University, UK. Emma Angelini is Professor of Applied Physical Chemistry at the Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Professor Annemie Adriaens works within the Department of Analytical Chemistry at Ghent University, Belgium.

• Contributor contact detailsSeries introductionVolumes in the EFC seriesChapter 1: Introduction: conservation versus laboratory investigation in the preservation of metallic heritage artefactsPart I: Conservation issues: past, present, futureChapter 2: Conservation, corrosion science and evidence-based preservation strategies for metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:2.1 Introduction2.2 The structure of conservation research and practice2.3 Conservation in practice2.4 Corrosion control for conservation practice2.5 Conservation and corrosion science in partnership2.6 Preservation of heritage metals2.7 ConclusionChapter 3: Atmospheric corrosion of heritage metallic artefacts: processes and preventionAbstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Historical perspectives on corrosion3.3 Air pollution effects in the twentieth century3.4 Current effects of air pollution on corrosion3.5 Indoor environments and recent developments in standardisation3.6 Future trends3.7 ConclusionPart II: Analytical techniques for the study of cultural heritage corrosionChapter 4: Analytical techniques for the study of corrosion of metallic heritage artefacts: from micrometer to nanometer scalesAbstract:4.1 Introduction4.2 Methodology4.3 Morphology observation4.4 Composition analyses4.5 Structural characterisation4.6 Nanoscale investigations4.7 ConclusionChapter 5: The use of metallographic and metallurgical investigation methods in the preservation of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:5.1 Introduction5.2 Methods for sampling artefacts5.3 Metallographic examination of microstructure features5.4 Successful uses of metallography and metallurgy to aid preservation5.5 ConclusionChapter 6: Analysis of corroded metallic heritage artefacts using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)Abstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) fundamentals6.3 Applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) on the analysis of corroded archaeological artefacts: corroded metal threads6.4 Depth profiling of copper-based decorative artefact6.5 Analysis of corroded Punic coins6.6 Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of Roman silver denarii6.7 ConclusionChapter 7: Electrochemical measurements in the conservation of metallic heritage artefacts: an overviewAbstract:7.1 Introduction7.2 Equipment for electrochemical techniques7.3 Potential measurements7.4 DC techniques7.5 AC techniques7.6 ConclusionChapter 8: Electrochemical analysis of metallic heritage artefacts: time-lapse spectroelectrochemical techniquesAbstract:8.1 Introduction8.2 The electrochemical cell (eCell)8.3 Monitoring the stabilization process of cupreous artefacts8.4 Monitoring the formation of a protective lead coating8.5 Conclusion8.6 AcknowledgementsChapter 9: Electrochemical analysis of metallic heritage artefacts: voltammetry of microparticles (VMP)Abstract:9.1 Introduction9.2 Electrode configuration9.3 Electrochemical processes9.4 Voltammetry of microparticles (VMP) and metal corrosion9.5 Studies on corrosion processes9.6 Applications for archaeometry, conservation and restoration9.7 ConclusionPart III: Specific alteration processesChapter 10: Artistic patinas on ancient bronze statuesAbstract:10.1 Introduction10.2 Studying and characterizing patinas10.3 Case studies: the Giambologna statues of the University of Genoa, and the Angel of Calcagno family grave from the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno (Genoa, Italy)10.4 Conclusion10.5 AcknowledgementsChapter 11: Ancient silver artefacts: corrosion processes and preservation strategiesAbstract:11.1 Introduction11.2 History of ancient silver11.3 Corrosion of Silver11.4 Morphology of atmospheric corrosion layers on silver11.5 Silver embrittlement11.6 Cleaning, anti-tarnishing and protection11.7 ConclusionChapter 12: Underwater corrosion of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:12.1 Introduction12.2 Degradation processes and conservation strategies12.3 In-situ preservation of artefacts12.4 ConclusionChapter 13: Long-term anoxic corrosion of ironAbstract:13.1 Introduction13.2 General methodology13.3 Characterisation of the corrosion system: from the environment to the archaeological remains13.4 Thermodynamic modelling13.5 Corrosion behaviour: understanding the mechanisms13.6 Estimation of the corrosion rate13.7 ConclusionChapter 14: Reactivity studies of atmospheric corrosion of heritage iron artefactsAbstract:14.1 Introduction14.2 Previous studies of corrosion diagnosis14.3 Studying atmospheric corrosion mechanisms14.4 Studying electrochemical reactivity14.5 Stability indexes based on rust layer composition and electrochemical reactivity14.6 Electrochemical study of ancient artefacts14.7 Degradation diagnosis14.8 ConclusionChapter 15: Atmospheric corrosion of historical industrial structuresAbstract:15.1 Introduction15.2 Industrial cultural heritage objects15.3 Specific atmospheric conditions15.4 Industrial culture heritage material specification15.5 Atmospheric corrosion of industrial structures of cultural heritage15.6 Degradation of surface treatment of industrial cultural heritage15.7 ConclusionPart IV: On-site monitoringChapter 16: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for the in-situ analysis of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:16.1 Introduction16.2 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) fundamentals16.3 In-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements16.4 In-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measuring campaigns16.5 ConclusionChapter 17: Oxygen monitoring in the corrosion and preservation of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:17.1 Introduction17.2 Equipment for oxygen monitoring17.3 Measurement of oxygen consumption17.4 Measurement of oxygen in the burial environment17.5 Conclusion17.6 AcknowledgementsChapter 18: Issues in environmental monitoring of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:18.1 Introduction18.2 Metrological design of a monitoring system18.3 Analogue and digital architectures for monitoring systems18.4 Designing a monitoring system based on smart sensors18.5 A case study of monitoring system deployment18.6 Conclusion18.7 AcknowledgementsPart V: Protection mediums, methods and strategiesChapter 19: Alkaline desalination techniques for archaeological ironAbstract:19.1 Introduction19.2 Archaeological iron: chloride-induced corrosion19.3 Conservation of archaeological iron19.4 Desalination19.5 The influence of chloride-bearing species on corrosion of iron19.6 Deoxygenated alkaline desalination techniques: assessing action and effectiveness19.7 Post-treatment corrosion risk19.8 Deoxygenated alkali washing in conservation practice19.9 ConclusionChapter 20: The use of subcritical fluids for the stabilisation of archaeological iron: an overviewAbstract:20.1 Introduction20.2 Determining treatment parameters20.3 Equipment, process and operation20.4 Conservation objectives, treatment rationale and risk management20.5 Case studies20.6 Conclusion20.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 21: Monitoring, modelling and prediction of corrosion rates of historical iron shipwrecksAbstract:21.1 Introduction21.2 Coralline concretions, corrosion potentials and dissolved oxygen21.3 Monitoring21.4 Modelling21.5 Prediction21.6 Conclusion21.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 22: The role of standards in conservation methods for metals in cultural heritageAbstract:22.1 Introduction22.2 Standards commonly used in conservation testing of metals: a survey in metal conservation publications22.3 The need to develop or adopt existing standards for coatings testing for cultural heritage metals: the case study of testing Poligen® ES 9100922.4 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 23: Coatings including carboxylates for the preservation of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:23.1 Introduction23.2 Ultrathin organic films for corrosion protection of metals23.3 Self-assembled monolayers of carboxylic acids23.4 Conclusion23.5 AcknowledgementsChapter 24: Sol-gel coatings for the preservation of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:24.1 Introduction24.2 The sol-gel coating process24.3 Techniques for sol-gel coating – electrodeposition24.4 Case studies on new conservation treatments24.5 ConclusionChapter 25: Plasma treatments for the cleaning and protection of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:25.1 Introduction: requirements of conservators/restorers25.2 Plasma treatments for cleaning and protection of artefacts25.3 Low pressure plasma25.4 Plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) in plasmas containing organosilicon compounds25.5 Case studies of use of plasma treatments in cleaning and protection of silver-based artefacts25.6 ConclusionChapter 26: Corrosion inhibitors for the preservation of metallic heritage artefactsAbstract:26.1 Introduction26.2 Types and mechanisms of corrosion inhibitors26.3 Evaluation of inhibitors26.4 Corrosion inhibitors used in conservation treatments26.5 ConclusionIndex