Corrosion Behaviour of Tombac Used in Cult Objects Manufacturing

Abstract

Corrosion of metals and metallic alloys is due to their thermodynamic instability in relation to their oxidation form. Corrosion tests performed in this work simulate the exposure conditions in different environments of yellow tombac (brass containing 10-20% Zn). The aim of corrosion test in humid heat is to determine the behaviour of surface samples compared to their durability at high relative humidity conditions. Following the accelerated corrosion test in salt fog chamber, higher rates corrosion for tombac comparative with the corrosion test in continue humid heat are distinguished. Tombac samples show a good corrosion resistance as against aggressive environmental conditions which are tested. Surface morphology of treated samples in both corrosion tests was examined using the scanning electron microscopy. Again, the crystalline structure of metallic samples was analysed using the X-ray diffractometer. Also, the optical properties of tombac were analysed studying the reflectance spectra.