Atmospheric corrosion of B6 bronze evaluated by Thin Layer Activation Technique

The applicability of Thin Layer Activation (TLA) technique to outdoor degradation monitoring of a bronze alloy (B6 bronze), which is of interest in the field of Cultural Heritage, has been evaluated by thickness loss measurements of specimens exposed to different climatic conditions. Activated samples have been exposed in Rome and Venice and withdrawn for measurements after different exposure periods, the relevant data are reported. The bronze surface has been investigated by the OM technique and the corrosion products, forming the patina, have been analysed by the XRD technique. The sensitivity of TLA has been also verified by thickness loss measurements of activated specimens submitted to very weak corrosion conditions. This refers to samples treated with the 5-octyl-1,2,3-Benzotriazole corrosion inhibitor and exposed for a relatively short time (6 months).