Perspectives on Sculpture Conservation Modelling Copper and Bronze Corrosion
Perspectives on Sculpture Conservation Modelling Copper and Bronze Corrosion Helena Strandberg Akademisk avhandling för avläggande av filosofie doktorsexamen i Miljövetenskap med inriktning mot Kemi. Med tillstånd av Sektionen för Miljövetenskap, Göteborgs Universitet och Chalmers Tekniska Högskola, försvaras avhandlingen offentligt fredagen den 19 september 1997 kl. 1015 i sal KS 101, Kemihuset, Chalmers. Fakultetsopponent är Dr. Jan Henrikssen, NILU, Norge. Avdelningen för Oorganisk Kemi Göteborgs Universitet 1997 ISBN 91-7197-539-X Published in Göteborg, Sweden, August 1997 Printed at Chalmers Reproservice, Göteborg 1997 118 pages + 2 appendices + 8 appended papers Cover pieture: Dancing girIs ("Danserskor") by Carl Milles in front of the Museum of Art in Göteborg. The seulpture was east in 1915 and plaeed outdoors 1952. Photo: Helena Strandberg, 1997. Perspectives on Bronze Sculpture Conservation Modelling Copper and Bronze Corrosion DoctoraI dissertation for the Ph. D. degree Helena Strandberg Department ofInorganic Chemistry, Göteborg University, 412 96, Göteborg, Sweden Abstract This dissertation pres~nts different perspectives on the conservation of bronze sculptures and copper objects in outdoor environments. The problem complex is described regarding values assigned to sculptures, the condition of objects, deterioration processes in outdoor environments, and principles for conservation interventions in a historical and a modem perspective. The emphasis, however, is laid on laboratory investigations of crucial factors in deterioration processes. The role of trace amounts of S02, 03, N02 and NaCI on the atmospheric corrosion of copper, bronze and patina compounds was investigated using on-line gas analysis, gravimetry , and different corrosion product characterization techniques. Laboratory studies showed good agreement with studies from the field. It was found that a black cuprite patina (CU20) formed on copper in humid atmospheres at very low concentrations of S02, while higher levels of S02 passivated the surface.
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