Copper corrosion: A mathematical model for the simulation of chemical processes

[object Object]Metals, extensively used in technology applications as well as in art metal works, have a chemical affinity for oxygen, water, sulphur and are particularly susceptible to electrochemical processes due to the environment. For this reason the monitoring of the effect of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, pollutant concentration) on their mechanical and physical properties are considered a primary necessity for metal conservation and preservation. The complexity of the degradation phenomena requires to develop predictive tools, able to simulate involved chemical processes. In the present work a mathematical model, based on partial differential equation, is proposed. The model describes the evolution of corrosion processes, which occur on copper-tin alloy specimens exposed to sulphur dioxide atmosphere (SO 2 ).