Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors
Abstract
Many ancient Chinese bronze mirrors have survived with a patina that leaves the delicate relief surface decorations intact. The microstructure of these ancient mirrors is two-phase and consists of acicular {alpha}-phase (Cu-rich) regions encased in a {delta}-phase (Sn-rich) matrix. At the surface, there is evidence of selective dissolution of the ct phase; the cc-phase regions are replaced pseudomorphically by a mineral product with the {delta} phase remaining metallic. Electrochemical polarization has been used to drive the copper dealloying process in modem, cast bronze. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction was employed to compare the ancient samples with those that were prepared potentiostatically. Poorly crystallized tin oxide (SnO{sub 2}) was found in the {alpha} replacement products of both sample types. The corrosion-resistance of the potentiostatically-treated bronze samples was tested by atmospheric exposure. Comparison with exposed, untreated samples indicated that the treatment was protective.
- Authors:
-
- State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook, NY (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering|[Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook, NY (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
- Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (United States) Freer Gallery of Art, Dept. of Conservation and Scientific Research
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 274187
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-63182; CONF-960401-60
ON: DE96012553
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Spring meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS), San Francisco, CA (United States), 8-12 Apr 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 05 NUCLEAR FUELS; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; BRONZE; PROTECTIVE COATINGS; CORROSION RESISTANCE; X-RAY DIFFRACTION; AGING; CONTAINERS; UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
Citation Formats
Taube, M., Davenport, A.J., King, A.H., and Chase, T. III. Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors. United States: N. p., 1996.
Web.
Taube, M., Davenport, A.J., King, A.H., & Chase, T. III. Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors. United States.
Taube, M., Davenport, A.J., King, A.H., and Chase, T. III. Mon .
"Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors". United States.
doi:. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/274187.
@article{osti_274187,
title = {Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors},
author = {Taube, M. and Davenport, A.J. and King, A.H. and Chase, T. III},
abstractNote = {Many ancient Chinese bronze mirrors have survived with a patina that leaves the delicate relief surface decorations intact. The microstructure of these ancient mirrors is two-phase and consists of acicular {alpha}-phase (Cu-rich) regions encased in a {delta}-phase (Sn-rich) matrix. At the surface, there is evidence of selective dissolution of the ct phase; the cc-phase regions are replaced pseudomorphically by a mineral product with the {delta} phase remaining metallic. Electrochemical polarization has been used to drive the copper dealloying process in modem, cast bronze. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction was employed to compare the ancient samples with those that were prepared potentiostatically. Poorly crystallized tin oxide (SnO{sub 2}) was found in the {alpha} replacement products of both sample types. The corrosion-resistance of the potentiostatically-treated bronze samples was tested by atmospheric exposure. Comparison with exposed, untreated samples indicated that the treatment was protective.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996},
month = {Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996}
}