Study of microstructure and corrosion kinetic of steel guitar strings in artificial sweat solution

Abstract

Corrosion processes of strings on musical instruments occur frequently. Such processes significantly influence sound quality, but also human health because metals may provoke skin allergy. Therefore, in this study the corrosion process of six guitar strings and metal ions release associated with nickel allergy was monitored after immersion in sweat solution for 28 days. Dissolution of metal ions was measured as a function of time, and the changes of the samples after 28 days were studied by SEM/EDS. The results have shown that the amounts of dissolved metal ions in corrosive solution are decreasing in the following order: Fe 3þ < Sn 2þ < Mn 2þ < Si 4þ < Ni 2þ . The corrosion of electric guitar strings in artificial sweat solution was determined by the solubility of samples. The electric guitar strings E6, A5 and D4 corrosion kinetic in artificial sweat followed parabolic rate relation, while g3, h2 and e1 strings followed linear rate relation. After the 4 weeks of monitoring, the quantities of the nickel eluted ions did not exceed the limits prescribed by standard regulations. Therefore, such items do not present a threat to human health.

Corrosion Performance of Cu-Based Coins in Artificial Sweat

“…This phenomenon is developed simultaneously with the corrosion of the object. Once a person acquired nickel allergy, this illness lasts for life [2]. The metallic corrosion induced by human sweat has been known since a century approximately.…”

Correlations between acoustic and electrochemical measurements for metallic corrosion on steel strings used in guitars

“…Dissolved metal ions released from guitar strings have been observed in an artificial human sweat solution by scientists of Zagreb's University [2][3][4]. Incidence of possible allergic reactions caused by nickel metal ions has also been studied.…”

“…In 2009, experiments with E6 and D4 strings were reported by this team of scientists [2]. In 2010, the experiments were carried out with the complete set of six strings [4]. The strings were characterized by means of an optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM).…”

“…D4 Commercial D'Addario electric guitar strings are chosen for this work, as these were the ones used by the scientists of Zagreb's University [2][3][4] in their experimental works.…”

Investigation of metal ion release from violin, viola, and cello strings after dissolution in corrosive solution

“…In our previous experiments, we tried to monitor the corrosion process of metal items that are coming into direct contact with the skin (textile metal buttons, guitar strings) by monitoring the leaching metals in the artificial sweat solution . The drawback of this investigation was the fact that standard extraction procedures are intended for items, which are coming only into slight contact with the skin, which is not applicable for the items like musical strings, which are destroyed during abrasive usage.…”