The Characterization of a New Pale Blue Corrosion Product Found on Copper Alloy Artifacts

• Published in: Studies in conservation Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 217 - 227
• Main Authors: Trentelman, K., Stodulski, L., Scott, D., Back, M., Stock, S., Strahan, D., Drews, A.R., O'Neill, A., Weber, W.H., Chen, A.E., Garrett, S.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Routledge 01.12.2002; International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
• Subjects: Acetates; Atoms; Binding energy; Carboxylates; Copper; Corrosion; Excavation and methods; Formates; Laboratory methods; Methodology and general studies; Physical and chemical analysis; Prehistory and protohistory; Raman scattering; Sodium; Spectroscopic analysis; Corrosion; Analysis; Conservation; X ray; Raman spectrometry; Laboratory; Copper; Alloy; Copper artefact; X ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0039-3630; 2047-0584
• DOI: 10.1179/sic.2002.47.4.217

A new pale blue corrosion product has been found on copper alloy artifacts in the collections of a number of institutions. The corrosion product has been characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, wavelength X-ray dispersive spectroscopy and Raman microspectroscopy. The corrosion product is a copper(II) compound, containing copper and sodium in a ratio of approximately 1:1 along with formate and acetate groups. It is speculated that formic (methanoic) and acetic (ethanoic) acid vapors arising from materials used to house the objects contribute to the formation of this compound.