The corrosion of metallic artefacts in seawater: descriptive analysis

The influence of concretion on the long-term corrosion rate of steel shipwrecks in the Belgian North Sea

“…The formation of a concretion layer on the surface of metal objects, such as described above, and as observed in the present cases, is known to initiate relatively soon, i.e. within months, after first immersion [22,26,29 31]. This concretion layer, initially [30] largely calcium carbonate, has been noted to become relatively impermeable to oxygen with increased exposure period, largely due to the formation of ferrous carbonate (FeCO 3 ) and thereby tending to slow down the corrosion rate, at least for shorter periods of exposure [26,32].…”

“…Although it is sometimes claimed that it is difficult to generalise corrosion rates of iron and steel in sea water [22], it should be remembered that the Melchers model was based on a very large data set, including other data in the North Sea (near Scotland) [9]. Because of the non-linearity displayed in the bi-model model for corrosion simple comparisons of corrosion rates without allowing for the early part of the model can give quite misleading interpretations.…”

Evaluation of mechanical and corrosion properties of TiB2-Y2O3 nanocomposite fused bronze metal matrix composite

“…Fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) expanded to replace the metals, especially for sea applications. Out of many corrosions resistive materials, copper-based alloys specifically bronze alloys offer better corrosion resistance for maritime applications [2,3]. Apart from corrosion resistivity mechanical strength also plays a crucial role in identifying an element for naval applications [3].…”

“…Out of many corrosions resistive materials, copper-based alloys specifically bronze alloys offer better corrosion resistance for maritime applications [2,3]. Apart from corrosion resistivity mechanical strength also plays a crucial role in identifying an element for naval applications [3]. Bronze-built metal matrix composites offer a combinatory property of corrosion and strength and are extensively used for marine applications [4].…”

Tin ingots from a probable Bronze Age shipwreck off the coast of Salcombe, Devon: Composition and microstructure

“…However, recent surveys of Bronze Age tin objects -as opposed to tin used in metal alloys or tin used as an inlay in other materials -across the rest of Europe have collectively recorded less than 300 objects with the vast majority being small beads, pendants and other ornaments. However, this striking lack of Bronze Age tin objects could be primarily due to the corrosion of tin metal to tin oxide powder, especially in buried terrestrial environments (Turgoose, 1985), but to a lesser degree in submarine seawater environments (Memet, 2014). Hence, whilst there are numerous publications on the Bronze Age mining and trade of tin, technical studies of tin objects are still relatively rare (Hauptmann et al, 2002;Stos-Gale et.…”