Characterization of corrosion products on archaeological iron coins

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the microstructures, slag inclusions, morphology and composition of ancient Chinese iron coins exhumed from Emei Mountain and Baoji after 818-966 years of being imbedded underground.Design methodology approach - Metallography, scanning electron m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anti-corrosion methods and materials 2011-01, Vol.58 (1), p.39-45
Main Authors: Cheng Lv, Guo, Se Wang, Zi, Mei Wu, Li, Xu, Chunchun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical methods
Archaeology
Cast iron
Chinese history
Coins
Corrosion
Corrosion mechanisms
Corrosion prevention
Corrosion products
Corrosion resistance
Electron microscopy
Fourier transforms
Historical metallurgy
Inclusions
Infrared spectroscopy
Iron
Iron sulfides
Metallography
Morphology
Mountains
Phosphates
Photoelectrons
Scanning electron microscopy
Scientific imaging
Slag
Slags
Spectrometry
Spectroscopy
Studies
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Summary:Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the microstructures, slag inclusions, morphology and composition of ancient Chinese iron coins exhumed from Emei Mountain and Baoji after 818-966 years of being imbedded underground.Design methodology approach - Metallography, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed.Findings - The results showed that archaeological coins exhibited characteristics of a typical hypoeutectic white cast iron, with slag inclusions of FeS strips and phosphate. Porous or hexagonal platey corrosion products were discovered on the archaeological iron coin, which were mainly identified as Fe2O3, FeOOH, Fex(OH)1−xCO3 and Fex(OH)1−xSO4. The possible corrosion mechanisms for the iron coins were discussed based on the corrosion products.Originality value - This study revealed the characterization of corrosion products on archaeological iron coins and may provide guidance for the preservation of archaeological iron.
ISSN:0003-5599
1758-4221
DOI:10.1108/00035591111097693