Influence of environment on the corrosion of glass–metal connections

Abstract

'Glass sensors' of the eighteenth century Backer glass and the sixteenth century enamel from Limoges have been chosen for a series of experiments. Combinations of these materials with different base materials such as copper and bronze has been investigated. To create surface changes on the 'glass sensor', a corrosion process was induced in a controlled environment. A variety of corrosive agents such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, water and formaldehyde were used. The sample immersed in the corrosive solution was exposed alternately to light and high temperature for a total of 38 weeks. During this period, macroscopic and microscopic observations were made and series of tests such as SEM/EDS and Raman spectroscopy were performed on the surface of the samples. ICP-MS methods were used to determine the change in the chemical composition of the solutions where the samples had corroded. The primary aim of this study was to identify the impact of a number of external corrosive variables such as temperature, humidity and local environment to identify the most damaging environments for glass-metal objects. The obtained results showed the chemical and physical phenomena acting on the surface of the glass, metal or in the place of their joints. Information obtained on this study was used to explain the influence of the environment on the surface of glass-metal materials. Results can be used in the design of conservation work as well as for sustainable conservation.

The Influence of Selected Organic Compounds on the Corrosion of Historical Glass Based on Their State of Preservation

“…The higher intensity of dust has been located in hollows, grooves and the area behaves like a polished surface and was found without changes caused by boiling process of the samples [22].…”

“…Observation surface by SEM pointed intense band of silicon, due to created silica gel layer. Information from carried out analyses showed the diversity of the surface and also formation of heterogeneous process of dealkalization [15,22,24].…”