Atmospheric corrosion of B6 bronze evaluated by the thin layer activation technique

The applicability of thin layer activation (TLA) technique to outdoor degradation monitoring of a bronze alloy (B6 bronze), which is of interest in the field of cultural heritage, was evaluated by thickness loss measurements of specimens exposed to different climatic conditions. Activated samples were exposed in Rome and in Venice and withdrawn for measurements after different exposure periods. The morphology and the nature of the corrosion products were respectively investigated by OM observations and XRD analyses. The sensitivity of TLA was also verified by thickness loss measurements of activated specimens treated with the 5-octyl-1,2,3-benzotriazole corrosion inhibitor and outdoor exposed for a period of six months.