Microstructure and long-term corrosion of archaeological iron alloy artefacts
Résumé
The smithing skills of craftsmen in the western Mediterranean during the early Iron Age can be determined by studying
the microstructure of oxidised iron items. While some ghost structures have already been identified in dense
corrosion products, their formation has not always been explained. Four objects from southern France were analysed
using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy
coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. The role of microstructure,
grain boundaries, cracks, species diffusion through oxides in soil corrosion and the initial microstructure are discussed.
An additional parallel degradation mechanism (graphitisation) was experimentally revealed.
Domaines
Archéologie et Préhistoire
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)