Corrosion of 15th and early 16th century stained glass from the monastery of Batalha studied with external ion beam

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2010.12.001· OSTI ID:22063665

Vilarigues, M ^[1]; Redol, P ^[1]; Machado, A ^[1]; Rodrigues, P A; Alves, L C; Silva, R.C. da ^[2]

---

1. Dep. de Conservacao e Restauro and Centro do Vidro e da Ceramica para as Artes, FCT-UNL, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516 Caparica (Portugal)
2. Dep. Fisica, LFI, ITN, E.N.10, 2686-953 Sacavem (Portugal)

This paper reports the study of corrosion in two stained glass panels from the south aisle of Sta. Maria da Vitoria monastery, at Batalha (Portugal), one depicting the Last Supper (dated from 1508), and the other one showing a saint (c. 1450). These panels exhibit extensive corrosion with darkening phenomena that are an impediment to their correct visualization, a source of major concern both to conservators and curators. By using external micro-beam Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Particle Induced Gamma Emission (PIGE) spectrometry, the elemental compositions of large fragments were obtained, enabling the selection of representative corroded areas, from which elemental distribution maps were produced by scanning. Calcium and potassium rich structures were found - at the surface and inside cavities in the glass - that were identified as oxalates and carbonates, by Raman microscopy and micro-FTIR. The dark spots present in the glass surfaces were found to be Zn and Pb rich. These findings indicate that the corrosion observed was due not only to reactions with atmospheric water and CO{sub 2} but also with the oxalic acid secreted by micro-organisms. Furthermore, it did not result from reactions with atmospheric SO{sub 2} or acid rain. The information obtained is relevant for a better understanding of the corrosion processes and products formed on the surface of these panels and therefore for the proper planning of much needed adequate conservation-restoration actions and appropriate display conditions. - Research Highlights: {yields} Corrosion and darkening of stained glasses is of concern to conservators and curators. {yields} A multi-technique approach is of relevance to study stained glass corrosion. {yields} External beam PIXE-PIGE provide valuable insight on stained glass corrosion.

• OSTI ID: 22063665
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 62, Issue 2; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACID RAIN
CALCIUM
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBONATES
CORROSION
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
GLASS
INFRARED SPECTRA
ION BEAMS
OXALATES
OXALIC ACID
PHOTON EMISSION
PIXE ANALYSIS
POTASSIUM
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
SULFUR DIOXIDE