The conservation of metallic archaeological and historic artefacts is a major challenge whether they are ancient bronzes or relics of our more recent industrial past. Based on the work of Working Party 21 Corrosion of Archaeological and Historical Artefacts within the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), this important book summarises key recent research on analytical techniques, understanding corrosion processes and preventing the corrosion of cultural heritage metallic artefacts. After an introductory part on some of the key issues in this area, part two reviews the range of analytical techniques for measuring and analysing corrosion processes, including time resolved spectroelectrochemistry, voltammetry and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Part three reviews different types of corrosion processes for a range of artefacts, whilst part four discusses on-site monitoring techniques. The final part of the book summaries a range of conservation techniques and strategies to conserve cultural heritage metallic artefacts. Corrosion and conservation of cultural heritage metallic artefacts is an important reference for all those involved in archaeology and conservation, including governments, museums as well as those undertaking research in archaeology and corrosion science.

This chapter deals with the description of suitable and innovative solutions devoted to preserve metallic artefacts in their original contexts, underwater cultural heritage sites of archaeological and historical interest, as well as with the analysis of the degradation processes of ferrous and non-ferrous artefacts induced by contact with an aggressive environment such as sea water. The chapter also provides an overview of the most common conservation strategies applied to recovered artefacts.

The conservation of metallic archaeological and historic artefacts is a major challenge whether they are ancient bronzes or relics of our more recent industrial past. Based on the work of Working Party 21 Corrosion of Archaeological and Historical Artefacts within the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), this important book summarises key recent research on analytical techniques, understanding corrosion processes and preventing the corrosion of cultural heritage metallic artefacts.After an introductory part on some of the key issues in this area, part two reviews the range of analytical techniques for measuring and analysing corrosion processes, including time resolved spectroelectrochemistry, voltammetry and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Part three reviews different types of corrosion processes for a range of artefacts, whilst part four discusses on-site monitoring techniques. The final part of the book summaries a range of conservation techniques and strategies to conserve cultural heritage metallic artefacts.Corrosion and conservation of cultural heritage metallic artefacts is an important reference for all those involved in archaeology and conservation, including governments, museums as well as those undertaking research in archaeology and corrosion science. - Summarises key research on analytical techniques for measuring and analysing corrosion processes - Provides detailed understanding of corrosion processes and corrosion prevention - Discusses on-site monitoring techniques

This chapter describes the recent advances in corrosion protection afforded by the use of ultra-thin organic films such as polymer films and self-assembled monolayers. Emphasis is given to the metal surface modification by self-assembled monolayers of carboxylic acids due to their properties and ability to protect metallic artefacts.

In the present chapter laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is introduced as a powerful spectrochemical analytical technique that can be exploited to characterize corroded artifacts. Scientific and technological aspects of LIBS are briefly presented. LIBS does not need sample preparation, it is nondestructive and it can be used for in-situ measurements. Examples of LIBS applications that can help archaeologists in conservation and restoration of metallic artifacts are given. We demonstrated the use of LIBS in analysis of corroded metal threads, depth profiling of copper-based decorative artefact, analysis of corroded Punic coins, and LIBS and XRF analysis of Roman silver denarii.

This chapter deals with an overview of the application of plasma technologies, an innovative environmentally friendly class of processes for the surface modification of materials, for cleaning and protection of metallic artefacts. Examples of plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) of organosilicon precursors are described and appear particularly promising for the corrosion protection of the different metallic substrates such as iron-based alloys, copper and silver-based alloys of archaeological and historical-artistic interest.

This chapter discusses the application of the voltammetry of microparticles, a solid-state electrochemical technique, to the field of corrosion of archaeological metal. Identification of metals and alloys, identification, mapping and layer-by-layer analysis of corrosion products on metal surfaces using this technique are described. Applications include quantification of components of alloys and corrosion layers, and evaluation of metal conservation and the kinetics of long-term corrosion processes. Specific applications in archaeometry, conservation and restoration include authentication and dating.