Microchemical and microstructural characterization of the corrosion products of copper and bronze artifacts, as Roman mirrors, and of gilded Middle Ages objects

With the use of different complementary analytical techniques as SEM+EDS (scanning electron microscopy + energy dispersive spectrometry), GDOES (glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy), OM (optical microscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction) and electrochemical techniques, as EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), a microchemical and microstructural characterization of the corrosion products of metallic artefacts of archaeological and artistic interest has been carried out. In particular high tin bronze artefacts, as Roman mirrors, found during archaeological excavation of the Phoenician-Punic and then Roman city of Tharros (north-western Sardinia), have been investigated, together with Roman and middle Ages gilded artefacts.