Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors

Taube, M; Davenport, A J; King, A H; Chase, T III

Title: Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors

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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:

Taube, M ^[1]; Davenport, A J ^[2]; King, A H ^[1]; Chase, T III ^[3]

State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook, NY (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (United States) Freer Gallery of Art, Dept. of Conservation and Scientific Research

Publication Date:: 1996-07-01

Research Org.:: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), 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, Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY, 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.

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                    Taube, M, Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY, 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.

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                    Taube, M, Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY, Davenport, A J, King, A H, and Chase, T III. 1996.  
        "Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors".  United States.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/274187.

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@article{osti_274187,

  title        = {Selective dissolution in copper-tin alloys: Formation of corrosion- resistant patina on ancient Chinese bronze mirrors},

  author       = {Taube, M and Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY 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          = {},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/274187},
  journal      = {},
number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {1996},

  month        = {7}

}

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