Evaluation of cleaning procedures for the conservation of tarnished lead

T. Palomar, B. Ramirez, J. M. Velix, E. Cano

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Lead is a soft metal and easy to be damaged during conservation treatments. In this study four different procedures for cleaning tarnished lead were assessed: mechanical abrasion with calcium carbonate, immersion in EDTA, potentiostatic reduction in Na2SO4, and potentiostatic reduction and passivation in the same electrolyte. The surface of coupons after six cycles of tarnishing and cleaning was characterized by gravimetry, colorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was observed that all the procedures induced changes on the lead coupons. Mechanical abrasion left a shiny surface but it removed a high quantity of mass; the color of the coupons cleaned with EDTA was similar to original but the surface was completely etched; and the lead reduced potentiostatically presented similar chemical composition to original but the surface was completely covered by re-deposited lead crystals.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCONSERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE
EditorsM. J. Mosquera, M. L. A. Gil
PublisherCRC Press/Balkema
Pages45-47
ISBN (Print)978-1-138-06744-8
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event3rd International Congress on Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (Technoheritage) - Cadiz, Spain
Duration: 21 May 201724 May 2017

Conference

Conference3rd International Congress on Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (Technoheritage)
Country/TerritorySpain
CityCadiz
Period21/05/1724/05/17

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