μXRF Analysis of XVIII Century Copper Coin: Patina Investigation and “Bronze Disease” Detection

Abstract

Several types of patina can be formed on copper and copper-containing artefacts during ageing. These patinas prevent further destruction and, besides, can provide information about the environment conditions, under which these artefacts have been stored. In contrast, chloride corrosion is harmful for copper and bronze objects and can lead to their complete destruction. Therefore, it should be detected as early as possible. In this work, a copper coin minted in the Russian Empire in the XVIII century was investigated using micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. It proved to be an effective tool for the patina and contamination analysis and chloride corrosion detection.