10 September 2010

Article: Embrittlement of Ancient Silver (2005)


Title: Embrittlement of Ancient Silver
Author: R.J.H. Wanhill
Reference: Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, Volume 5(1) February 2005, pp. 41-54
DOI: 10.1361/15477020522294
Link: http://www.asminternational.org/... (pdf, 2.62 Mb)  [link corrected]

Abstract:
Ancient silver may become brittle and damaged owing to long-term corrosion and changes in the microstructure. Recognition and determination of corrosion-induced and microstructurally-induced embrittlement, and also their synergy, are important for restoration and conservation of ancient and historic silver. The types of embrittlement are described and illustrated, using examples of ancient and historic silver artefacts, including the famous Gundestrup Cauldron, a masterpiece of European Iron Age silverwork. In particular, the use of automated Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD) enables improved analysis and assessment of corrosion-induced embrittlement. The knowledge obtained from detailed investigations is helpful not only in determining the best ways to restore and conserve embrittled silver objects, but also in defining the possible extent of the embrittlement problem. This is illustrated by a straightforward statistical analysis.


Microstructural embrittlement of gold and silver (2006)



Title: Microstructural embrittlement of gold and silver
Author: R.J.H. Wanhill
Publisher: National Aerospace Laboratory NLR
Year: 2000
Pages: 66
Type of document: Report
Link: http://www.nlr.nl/... (pdf, 5.29 Mb)


Table of Contents (short version):

1. Abstract and keywords
2. Introduction
3. Evidence of embrittlement
4. Empirical and theoretical metallurgical considerations 7
5. Corn positions of archaeological gold and silver
6. Discussion
7. Conclusions and recommendations
8. References

Appendix A. Gold and silver binary alloy equilibrium phase diagrams in support of table 2
Appendix B. Classification of archaeological silver artifacts and coins in
Appendix C. Classification of damaged archaeological gold artifacts in support of figure 12

Dans la lumière des terrasses (2) (2010)



Title: Dans la lumière des terrasses: Le Subak Museum à Sanggulan : quel musée pour la civilisation du riz? (2e volet)
Author: Marc-Antonio Barblan
Reference: Le Banian, N. 9, juin 2010, pp. 33-61
Link: click here (pdf, 11.2 Mb)

Note: Made available upon request of the author

09 September 2010

Dans la lumière des terrasses (1) (2009)



Title: Dans la lumière des terrasses: Paysage culturel balinais, Subak Museum et patrimoine mondial (1er volet)
Author: Marc-Antonio Barblan
Reference: Le Banian, N. 7, juin 2009, pp. 80-101
Year: 2009
Link: click here (pdf, 9.98 Mb)


Note: Made available upon request of the author