Study and analytical characterization of corrosion products from minting dies and punches belonging to the Estense collection of Modena

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to make a physico-chemical characterization of corrosion products found on minting dies and punches belonging to the Estense Collection. The data, obtained using different instrumental chemical methods, proved to be useful in characterizing both the products and their phases (crystalline and amorphous). The analysis of the composition of the items was realised by the use of non destructive and non invasive test techniques (EDXRF, ADXD, EDXD). Whenever this was not possible, we in any case attempted to use specific techniques (DRIFT, TGA/DTA, XRD,ICP) aimed at shedding some light on our problem without in any way altering the objects of the study or their state of conservation.