Non-destructive surface analysis of accelerated corroded copper alloys

作者：Papandreopoulos Panayiotis^*; Koui Maria; Yfantis Dimitrios; Theophanides Theophilos

来源：Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, 2012, 59(3): 110-120.

DOI：10.1108/00035591211224654

• Alloys
• Corrosion
• Artefacts
• Copper alloys
• Corrosion in soil
• X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy
• Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray micro-detector

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the surface corrosion products of copper alloys by non-destructive techniques (NDT) and correlate them with their bulk composition. %26lt;br%26gt;Design/methodology/approach - Specimens of copper alloys, whose compositions were close to those of ancient copper-based artefacts, were left to be corroded in simulated soil solution containing ammoniacal buffering solution of pH = 10 in 1:1 ratio, in order to accelerate the corrosion rate. The elemental compositions of the surface corrosion products were determined versus time using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, and the surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Micro-detector methods, and the results were compared to the bulk composition, as measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. %26lt;br%26gt;Findings - During the corrosion evolution of the copper alloys in the corrosive solution, transitional phenomena were observed such as an initial decrease of the copper concentration with a simultaneous increase of the concentrations of the secondary alloying metals (Sn, Zn and Pb). After 30-60 immersion days, the alloy concentrations were stabilised. %26lt;br%26gt;Originality/value - The results of this research could contribute to the non-destructive characterisation of copper-based ancient artefacts (from which the taking of samples is not allowed).

• 出版日期2012