Editorial

This paper reviews the use of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) for non-destructive studies of valuable metallic objects in the fields of jewelry, archaeology and art, as well as its application in the analysis of coatings and solutions, due to the interest of these issues in jewelry manufacture. The general features of the technique as well as the most outstanding results obtained in the commented fields are described, taking into account the most important sources of error, mainly in the case of samples that have suffered corrosion processes.

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“…According to Lahanier et al [14], an ideal method for analyzing objects of artistic, historic or archaeological nature should be:…”

Section: Suitability Of Xrf For the Analysis Of Valuable Objectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Valuable Metals

Jurado-López¹,

Castro

2006

CAC

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“…Not only have analytical techniques been used to determine the authenticity of an artifact, but, currently, many modern analytical techniques are employed to gain insight into ancient metal artifacts [2,5,6]; however, since many of these artifacts are unique and irreplaceable, one important aspect of studying ancient metal artifacts is the ability to examine them non-destructively and often times non-invasively (the distinction being that non-destructive testing implies that samples removed from an artifact are not damaged by the technique, while non-invasive testing implies that no sampling is required and that the artifact itself can be examined without being damaged). As noted by Lahanier et al [3,7], an ideal technique for the analysis of ancient artifacts should be (a) nondestructive/non-invasive (i.e. preserve the physical integrity of the artifact requiring little or no sampling from the artifact), (b) fast (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeometallurgy using synchrotron radiation: a review

Young

2012

Rep. Prog. Phys.

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Archaeometallurgy is an important field of study which allows us to assess the quality and value of ancient metal artifacts and better understand the ancient cultures that made them. Scientific investigation of ancient metal artifacts is often necessary due to their lack of well-documented histories. One important requirement of analytical techniques is that they be non-destructive, since many of these artifacts are unique and irreplaceable. Most synchrotron radiation (SR) techniques meet this requirement. In this review, the characteristics, capabilities, and advantages and disadvantages of current and future SR facilities are discussed. I examine the application of SR techniques such as x-ray imaging (radiography/microscopy and tomography), x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, x-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and lastly combined SR techniques to the field of archaeometallurgy. Previous case studies using these various SR techniques are discussed and potential future SR techniques are addressed.

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“…The use of ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques in the field of cultural heritage goes back for more than 20 years, with particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) being the most popular fingerprinting technique for trace elements. One of the first proceedings of a workshop on the use of small accelerators in archaeometry was published in 1986 in the journal Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B . The workshop coincided with the installation of a 2 MV tandem accelerator AGLAE (Accelerateur Grand Louvre pour l’Analyze Elémentaire) in the basement of the Louvre museum in Paris which has since been dedicated exclusively to cultural heritage research .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the first proceedings of a workshop on the use of small accelerators in archaeometry was published in 1986 in the journal Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B. 1 The workshop coincided with the installation of a 2 MV tandem accelerator AGLAE (Accelerateur Grand Louvre pour l'Analyze Ele ´mentaire) in the basement of the Louvre museum in Paris which has since been dedicated exclusively to cultural heritage research. 2 Since 1986, several other proceedings, for example, refs 3 and 4, and individual papers have been published in peer-reviewed journals, all demonstrating the vast interest in using IBA techniques in the area of heritage science.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Coordinated Use of Synchrotron Spectroelectrochemistry for Corrosion Studies on Heritage Metals

Adriaens

Dowsett

2010

Acc. Chem. Res.

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Corrosion is a major source of degradation in heritage metal objects, and any remedial measures are subject to a strong (Western) ethic that favors conservation as opposed to restoration. Accordingly, major scientific challenges exist for developing appropriate treatment methods to stabilize and protect artifacts after they are recovered from an archaeological site, both before and during their display or storage in a museum. Because inappropriate treatments can cause irreversible damage to irreplaceable objects, it is crucial that the chemical processes involved are fully understood and characterized before any preservation work is undertaken. In this regard, large infrastructural facilities such as synchrotrons, neutron sources, and particle accelerators provide a wealth of analytical possibilities, unavailable in smaller scale laboratories. In general, the intensity of the radiation available allows measurements on a short time scale or with high spatial resolution (or both), so heterogeneous changes induced by a chemical process can be recorded while they occur. The penetrative nature of the radiation (e.g., X-rays, protons, or neutrons) also allows a sample to be studied in air. If necessary, complete artifacts (such as paintings or statuettes) can be examined. In situ analysis in a controlled environment, such as a liquid or corrosive atmosphere, also becomes an exciting possibility. Finally, there are many complementary techniques (local atomic structure or crystal structure determination, macroscopic 3-D imaging (tomographies), imaging chemical analysis, and so on) so the many distinct details of a problem can be thoroughly explored. In this Account, we discuss the application of this general philosophy to studies of corrosion and its prevention in cultural heritage metals, focusing on our recent work on copper alloys. More specifically, we use synchrotron-based techniques to evaluate the use of corrosion potential measurements as a possible monitoring method for copper-based objects recovered from marine environments. The extraction of chlorides from such artifacts is a process that must take place before the artifacts are put on display or stored, because air exposure of untreated metal will result in severe damage or loss in as little as a few weeks. Chloride is removed by soaking the artifact for up to two years in tap water or dilute sodium sesquicarbonate, with regular solution changes. Our research supports the effectiveness of this treatment for thin nantokite (copper(I) chloride) layers, but it raises questions for copper hydroxychlorides (atacamite and paratacamite), especially when these minerals are trapped in fissures. Electrochemical parameters such as the corrosion potential are shown to be insensitive to the physical presence of large hydroxychloride coverages if they overlie a cuprite (Cu(2)O) layer. X-ray absorption spectroscopy proves to be a good monitor for the chloride in solution over the working electrode, whereas X-ray diffraction offers the potential for real-time measurement of ...

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Editorial

Cited by 8 publications

References 0 publications

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Valuable Metals

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Valuable Metals

Archaeometallurgy using synchrotron radiation: a review

The Coordinated Use of Synchrotron Spectroelectrochemistry for Corrosion Studies on Heritage Metals

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