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Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis

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21-02-2023 | Peer-Reviewed Paper

A Technical Examination of the Corrosion and Microstructural Features of Copper Alloy Artifacts from the Byzantine Period at Khirbet Yajuz, Jordan

Author: Ahmad N. Abu-Baker

Published in: Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis | Issue 2/2023

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Abstract

This study investigated the corrosion and microstructural characteristics of a group of copper alloy artifacts dating to the Byzantine period at the Khirbet Yajuz archaeological site, Jordan. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) analyses revealed that those artifacts were mainly of ternary Cu–Sn–Pb and quaternary Cu–Sn–Zn–Pb alloys. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of representative corrosion product samples revealed the presence of cuprite (Cu₂O), tenorite (CuO), atacamite/paratacamite (α– and γ–Cu₂(OH)₃Cl), sampleite (NaCaCu₅(PO₄)₄Cl·5H₂O), and aurichalcite ((Cu, Zn)₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆). A few corrosion products of the copper alloying elements were also detected such as cassiterite (SnO₂), pyromorphite (Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl), smithsonite (ZnCO₃), and spencerite (Zn₄(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·3H₂O). The metallographic examination revealed the microstructural characteristics of the internal alloy, which helped to clarify the casting characteristics or degrees of working and heat treatment in the manufacture of the artifacts. The microhardness testing results were consistent with composition and manufacturing techniques of the artifacts. The presence of stable oxide and phosphate corrosion products of copper and its alloying elements improved the stability of the artifacts and reduced the risk of activating the cuprous chlorides (CuCl) present in the internal corrosion pits. The artifacts could be conserved by a direct conservation treatment using either corrosion inhibitors or potentiostatic reduction methods or in a passive way by controlling the relative humidity to a stable value below 40%, with continuous monitoring of the environmental conditions at the storage area to maintain the stability of the artifacts.

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Title: A Technical Examination of the Corrosion and Microstructural Features of Copper Alloy Artifacts from the Byzantine Period at Khirbet Yajuz, Jordan
Author: Ahmad N. Abu-Baker
Publication date: 21-02-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 2192-9262
Electronic ISSN: 2192-9270
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-023-00934-6

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