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Conserving Copper-Alloy Objects

see also:
Coin Cleaning

Cleaning bronze and Romana
Cleaning Copper
Conserving
Advanced Cleaning

Many copper-alloy objects will remain stable when excavated, and will require no particular conservation treatment. The application of waxes or lacquers as mentioned previously may however aid protection as well as improving the appearance of an object.

One of the most destructive threats to copper-alloy objects is a condition known as bronze disease'. This can he recognized by small areas of powdery green corrosion, which erupts from below the surface of an object. This is caused by the presence of chlorides which were sealed within the corrosion products. And which can become active if the environment of an object is altered. This may also occur when an object has been subjected to chemical or electrolytic cleaning. Once it takes hold, bronze disease is a progressive form of corrosion, which, if left unchecked, can totally destroy an affected object.

The only solution is the removal of the affected areas. This can he achieved either by totally stripping an object hack to hare metal, with all its attendant disadvantages. Or by picking out any small spots with a dental tool or adapted engraving tool. If any trace of bronze disease is left, it will re-occur.

To conserve an object, either following the removal of bronze disease or after any form of cleaning and/or toning, treatment with benzotriazole (BTA for short) is now generally recommended. Before using BTA, an object must first be degreased by Immersion in alcohol or acetone, this should then be followed by a prolonged soaking in a solution of caustic soda, which will reduce subsurface chlorides and better prepare an item for treatment.

The next step is to remove the object and allow it to dry, after which it should be placed in a 5% solution of BTA, dissolved in alcohol, It should be left for several days. Then removed and once again allowed to dry thoroughly. The final stage is to brush off any loose precipitate that may have formed, and to then apply several coats of a protective lacquer, preferably Incralac or another suitable proprietary conservation lacquer. Domestic varnishes have additives, which may be harmful in the long term. The BTA solution can be used repeatedly, and only needs disposing of once itbecomes discolored.

THIS ADVICE WAS KINDLY GIVEN TO US AS GUIDE NOT A GOSPEL METHOD OF CLEANING, YOU DO SO AT YOU'RE OWN RISK!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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