Silver objects obtained from archaeological excavations often exhibit an extended embrittlement.
The causes of this embrittlement were studied on silver artefacts buried for more than one thousand
years in the soil using light and electron microscopy techniques and EDX microanalysis.
Our investigation revealed presence of chlorine, sulphur and oxygen along the grain boundaries
suggesting that most likely, the catastrophic failure of the grave objects made of Ag–Cu alloys is
caused by an intercrystalline corrosion attack. The role of possible grain boundary segregation
and/or precipitation of copper as a path of easy corrosion is discussed.
Archaeological silver objects are often found to be embrittled to some extent. Using light and scanning electron microscopy techniques, X-ray diffraction and AES, the causes of this embrittlement were studied on a silver artefact buried for more than 1000 years in soil. This investigation revealed the presence of chlorine, sulphur and carbon at grain boundaries of the Ag-Cu based object suggesting that most likely; the substantial embrittlement is caused by an inter-crystalline corrosion attack. The role of copper enrichment at the grain boundaries as a possible path of preferential corrosion attack is discussed.
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