Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy

Abeer Gharib

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy

Abeer Gharib

Published in International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 8, Issue 1)

Received: 10 December 2019 Accepted: 20 December 2019 Published: 4 January 2020

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Abstract

Ancient silver with about 2% copper object is studied to determine manufacturing defects based on chemical and microscopic investigations. In this paper Bullion (silver-copper alloy) ink box inlays with enamel from the Museum of the faculty of applied arts in Cairo, Egypt has been investigated to identify manufacturing process and its effect on the ink deterioration. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) method has been used on samples to reveal chemical composition of the alloys and the effect of various fabrication and thermal treatment. The results indicated that all samples were made of silver-copper alloys, other elemental corrosion layers have detected in contents such as C, O, S, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, Al. Fracture surfaces provide with important information helping to recognize failure causes, so the fracture surface investigation and etching by means of alcoholic ferric chloride was carried out for microstructural analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM-micrograph of etching sample showed pores and cracking propagation. Crack initiation usually appears at the object surface, and is generally produced by stress concentrators, producing rise to local plastic deformation or cracking and detachment of brittle precipitates. Local stress–strain concentration related to a variety of microstructural inhomogeneities. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed the EDX analysis that the corrosion compounds consist of Montmorillonite NaO₃(Al, Mg)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂XH₂O, Atacamite Cu₂Cl(OH)₃, Malachite Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂, Paratacamite Cu₂Cl(OH)₃, Cuprite Cu₂O, Acanthite Ag₂S, Tenorite CuO, Calcite CaCO₃, Chlorargyrite AgCl, Copper Cu. Silver–copper alloys failed through corrosion process that produce brownish-black tarnish. This tarnish alters the aesthetic of the object. The corrosion layers of the object referred to long-term contamination and oxidation, which led to increase intergranular cracking, regions of ductile fracture, and brittle intergranular fracture.

Published in	International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
Page(s)	1-5
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Silver-Copper Alloy, Art Work Defects, SEM-EDX, XRD, Plastic Deformation, Defects Analysis

References

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Abeer Gharib. (2020). Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy. International Journal of Archaeology, 8(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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Abeer Gharib. Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy. Int. J. Archaeol. 2020, 8(1), 1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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Abeer Gharib. Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy. Int J Archaeol. 2020;8(1):1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11,
  author = {Abeer Gharib},
  title = {Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy},
  journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-5},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20200801.11},
  abstract = {Ancient silver with about 2% copper object is studied to determine manufacturing defects based on chemical and microscopic investigations. In this paper Bullion (silver-copper alloy) ink box inlays with enamel from the Museum of the faculty of applied arts in Cairo, Egypt has been investigated to identify manufacturing process and its effect on the ink deterioration. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) method has been used on samples to reveal chemical composition of the alloys and the effect of various fabrication and thermal treatment. The results indicated that all samples were made of silver-copper alloys, other elemental corrosion layers have detected in contents such as C, O, S, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, Al. Fracture surfaces provide with important information helping to recognize failure causes, so the fracture surface investigation and etching by means of alcoholic ferric chloride was carried out for microstructural analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM-micrograph of etching sample showed pores and cracking propagation. Crack initiation usually appears at the object surface, and is generally produced by stress concentrators, producing rise to local plastic deformation or cracking and detachment of brittle precipitates. Local stress–strain concentration related to a variety of microstructural inhomogeneities. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed the EDX analysis that the corrosion compounds consist of Montmorillonite NaO3(Al, Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2XH2O, Atacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Malachite Cu2CO3(OH)2, Paratacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Cuprite Cu2O, Acanthite Ag2S, Tenorite CuO, Calcite CaCO3, Chlorargyrite AgCl, Copper Cu. Silver–copper alloys failed through corrosion process that produce brownish-black tarnish. This tarnish alters the aesthetic of the object. The corrosion layers of the object referred to long-term contamination and oxidation, which led to increase intergranular cracking, regions of ductile fracture, and brittle intergranular fracture.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy
AU  - Abeer Gharib
Y1  - 2020/01/04
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
SP  - 1
EP  - 5
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7595
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
AB  - Ancient silver with about 2% copper object is studied to determine manufacturing defects based on chemical and microscopic investigations. In this paper Bullion (silver-copper alloy) ink box inlays with enamel from the Museum of the faculty of applied arts in Cairo, Egypt has been investigated to identify manufacturing process and its effect on the ink deterioration. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) method has been used on samples to reveal chemical composition of the alloys and the effect of various fabrication and thermal treatment. The results indicated that all samples were made of silver-copper alloys, other elemental corrosion layers have detected in contents such as C, O, S, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, Al. Fracture surfaces provide with important information helping to recognize failure causes, so the fracture surface investigation and etching by means of alcoholic ferric chloride was carried out for microstructural analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM-micrograph of etching sample showed pores and cracking propagation. Crack initiation usually appears at the object surface, and is generally produced by stress concentrators, producing rise to local plastic deformation or cracking and detachment of brittle precipitates. Local stress–strain concentration related to a variety of microstructural inhomogeneities. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed the EDX analysis that the corrosion compounds consist of Montmorillonite NaO3(Al, Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2XH2O, Atacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Malachite Cu2CO3(OH)2, Paratacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Cuprite Cu2O, Acanthite Ag2S, Tenorite CuO, Calcite CaCO3, Chlorargyrite AgCl, Copper Cu. Silver–copper alloys failed through corrosion process that produce brownish-black tarnish. This tarnish alters the aesthetic of the object. The corrosion layers of the object referred to long-term contamination and oxidation, which led to increase intergranular cracking, regions of ductile fracture, and brittle intergranular fracture.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Abeer Gharib

Conservation Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

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Abeer Gharib. (2020). Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy. International Journal of Archaeology, 8(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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ACS Style

Abeer Gharib. Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy. Int. J. Archaeol. 2020, 8(1), 1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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AMA Style

Abeer Gharib. Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy. Int J Archaeol. 2020;8(1):1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11,
  author = {Abeer Gharib},
  title = {Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy},
  journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-5},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20200801.11},
  abstract = {Ancient silver with about 2% copper object is studied to determine manufacturing defects based on chemical and microscopic investigations. In this paper Bullion (silver-copper alloy) ink box inlays with enamel from the Museum of the faculty of applied arts in Cairo, Egypt has been investigated to identify manufacturing process and its effect on the ink deterioration. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) method has been used on samples to reveal chemical composition of the alloys and the effect of various fabrication and thermal treatment. The results indicated that all samples were made of silver-copper alloys, other elemental corrosion layers have detected in contents such as C, O, S, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, Al. Fracture surfaces provide with important information helping to recognize failure causes, so the fracture surface investigation and etching by means of alcoholic ferric chloride was carried out for microstructural analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM-micrograph of etching sample showed pores and cracking propagation. Crack initiation usually appears at the object surface, and is generally produced by stress concentrators, producing rise to local plastic deformation or cracking and detachment of brittle precipitates. Local stress–strain concentration related to a variety of microstructural inhomogeneities. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed the EDX analysis that the corrosion compounds consist of Montmorillonite NaO3(Al, Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2XH2O, Atacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Malachite Cu2CO3(OH)2, Paratacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Cuprite Cu2O, Acanthite Ag2S, Tenorite CuO, Calcite CaCO3, Chlorargyrite AgCl, Copper Cu. Silver–copper alloys failed through corrosion process that produce brownish-black tarnish. This tarnish alters the aesthetic of the object. The corrosion layers of the object referred to long-term contamination and oxidation, which led to increase intergranular cracking, regions of ductile fracture, and brittle intergranular fracture.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Influence of Manufacturing Processes in Deterioration of Ag-Cu Artefact Alloy
AU  - Abeer Gharib
Y1  - 2020/01/04
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
SP  - 1
EP  - 5
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7595
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200801.11
AB  - Ancient silver with about 2% copper object is studied to determine manufacturing defects based on chemical and microscopic investigations. In this paper Bullion (silver-copper alloy) ink box inlays with enamel from the Museum of the faculty of applied arts in Cairo, Egypt has been investigated to identify manufacturing process and its effect on the ink deterioration. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) method has been used on samples to reveal chemical composition of the alloys and the effect of various fabrication and thermal treatment. The results indicated that all samples were made of silver-copper alloys, other elemental corrosion layers have detected in contents such as C, O, S, Cl, Si, Na, Ca, Al. Fracture surfaces provide with important information helping to recognize failure causes, so the fracture surface investigation and etching by means of alcoholic ferric chloride was carried out for microstructural analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM-micrograph of etching sample showed pores and cracking propagation. Crack initiation usually appears at the object surface, and is generally produced by stress concentrators, producing rise to local plastic deformation or cracking and detachment of brittle precipitates. Local stress–strain concentration related to a variety of microstructural inhomogeneities. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) confirmed the EDX analysis that the corrosion compounds consist of Montmorillonite NaO3(Al, Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2XH2O, Atacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Malachite Cu2CO3(OH)2, Paratacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3, Cuprite Cu2O, Acanthite Ag2S, Tenorite CuO, Calcite CaCO3, Chlorargyrite AgCl, Copper Cu. Silver–copper alloys failed through corrosion process that produce brownish-black tarnish. This tarnish alters the aesthetic of the object. The corrosion layers of the object referred to long-term contamination and oxidation, which led to increase intergranular cracking, regions of ductile fracture, and brittle intergranular fracture.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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