Hello! This is Chenya. I am writing a dissertation on the topic of evaluating the use of humidity chamber as part of the treatment on copper-alloy objects that were suspected of containing bronze disease from Pompeii. Because I am not very familiar with the way of testing on copper-alloy objects, I am hoping to hear more opinions from conservators who had experience and knowledge about this approach.
My methodology of treatment: After mechanically removing most of the blue and green corrosion products—malachite, azurite, with scalpel to reveal more details and any evidence of manufacture like tool marks, etc., I put the objects into a sealed Perspex humidity chamber, 38cm*38cm* 40cm, with 1L room-temperature tap water. The recorrosion process lasted 72 hours and the relative humidity was maintained at 100%. The pale green products formed during the process were removed and the objects were then treated with BTA by brushing. The processes were repeated until no more new corrosion formed. New questions formed during the process. For instance, what is the advantage and disadvantage of this approach? Does the removal of the stable corrosion layers have any impact on the formation of the bronze disease? Have you ever treated copper-alloy objects using the humidity chamber? If yes, could you tell me more about in which context treatment was carried out? For instance: * where were the objects found (marine? Soil?) * what was the condition of the objects? * why did you decide to test the objects using humidity chamber? * What was the setting you used (RH/ Length of treatment)? * Where did the object return to (what was the environmental condition like?) * Have you checked the current condition of the objects? * Did any new corrosion occur since then? * Are there any articles that you would recommend or could think about addressing this specific approach? * In case that you feel more comfortable to contact me directly, here is my email address: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Any comments will be appreciated! ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
