| Title |
Classification of Corrosion Types in Excavated Cast Cu-Sn-Pb Ternary Bronze Artifacts Based on Corrosion Characteristics |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.3365/KJMM.2026.64.5.457 |
| ISSN |
1738-8228(ISSN), 2288-8241(eISSN) |
| Keywords |
Bronze artifacts; Corrosion Characteristics; Corrosion type; Corrosion layer; Corrosion product |
| Abstract |
This study proposes a classification for the corrosion characteristics of cast ternary (Cu-Sn-Pb)
bronze artifacts excavated from the same archaeological site, based on the structural formation of corrosion
layers and the types of corrosion products present in each layer. Five bronze samples were selected for
analysis, and the morphological characteristics of the corrosion layer structures and corrosion products were
examined. The types and chemical compositions of corrosion products in each layer were identified, and the
structural formation of corrosion layers were classified into two main types. The results showed that the
excavated bronze artifacts exhibited high tin content corrosion layers caused by decuprification. The migration
of Cu and Pb ions, along with environmental factors such as O2, H2O,CO2, and Cl-ions introduced from the
burial environment, led to the formation of corrosion products with diverse colors, morphologies, and chemical
properties. In particular, the high tin corrosion layer and malachite were found to significantly influence the
degree and rate of corrosion. Through this comprehensive investigation of the corrosion layer structures and
formation processes of cast Cu-Sn-Pb bronze artifacts, the unique corrosion characteristics of excavated
bronzes were identified. The findings of this study are expected to provide fundamental data for
understanding the corrosion mechanisms of excavated bronze artifacts and serve as a valuable reference for
evaluating bronze artifact authenticity. |