A Typical Surface Formations Found on the Corrosion Layer of Iron Artefacts

Abstract

The paper presents the experimental results obtained by applying non-invasive methods (OM, SEM-EDX, XRF) on two iron artefacts from the II^nd and the III^rd centuries A.D. (discovered in the incineration graves from Gabăra-Moldoveni and Văleni-Boteşti, Neamt County), for determining the surface and the internal microstructures (cross-section), corrosion products distribution and some atypical formations resulted from the incineration processes. The results allow the rendering evident of some attributes used in authentication, the determination of the conservation state and the establishing of the proper procedures for the active conservation and the restoration of the artefacts.