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Title: Application Of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Technique In Investigation Of Historical Metal Threads

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3250130· OSTI ID:21322932
 [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University (Egypt)
  2. National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science, Cairo University (Egypt)

Analysis of the composition of an object is a necessary step in the documentation of the properties of this object for estimating its condition. Also this is an important task for establishing an appropriate conservation treatment of an object or to follow up the result of the application of the suggested treatments. There has been an important evolution in the methods used for analysis of metal threads since the second half of the twentieth century. Today, the main considerations of selecting a method are based on the diagnostic power, representative sampling, reproducibility, destructive nature/invasiveness of analysis and accessibility to the appropriate instrument. This study aims at evaluating the usefulness of the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Technique for analysis of historical metal threads. In this study various historical metal threads collected from different museums were investigated using (LIBS) technique. For evaluating usefulness of the suggested analytical protocol of this technique, the same investigated metal thread samples were investigated with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersive x-ray analyzer (EDX) which is reported in conservation field as the best method, to determine the chemical composition, and corrosion of investigated metal threads. The results show that all investigated metal threads in the present study are too dirty, strongly damaged and corroded with different types of corrosion products. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Technique is considered very useful technique that can be used safely for investigating historical metal threads. It is, in fact, very useful tool as a noninvasive method for analysis of historical metal threads. The first few laser shots are very useful for the investigation of the corrosion and dirt layer, while the following shots are very useful and effective for investigating the coating layer. Higher number of laser shots are very useful for the main composition of the metal thread. There is a necessity to carry out further research to investigate and determine the most appropriate and effective approaches and methods for conservation of these metal threads.

OSTI ID:
21322932
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1172, Issue 1; Conference: ICLA 2009: 7. international conference on laser applications, Cairo (Egypt), 17-21 May 2009; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3250130; (c) 2009 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English