scholarly journals Application of X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis in Investigations of Historical Monuments

10.14311/772 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Čechák ◽  
L. Musílek ◽  
T. Trojek ◽  
I. Kopecká
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Composition ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Ionising Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Nuclear Techniques ◽  
Historical Monuments ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Non Destructive

Nuclear techniques and other techniques using ionising radiation represent a valuable tool in non-destructive diagnostics applied to archaeological finds and objects of arts, namely for determining the composition of materials used in the production of artefacts. X-ray fluorescence analysis, both in its energy form and in its wave dispersive form, is one of the most widespread methods using ionising radiation to study the elemental composition of materials. It is frequently used for studies of various cultural and historic relicts and objects of art. This work summarizes the authors’ experience with X-ray fluorescence analysis in investigating historical frescos namely by means of portable provide spectroscopic devices. The results of these measurements information on the composition of the pigments, enable the comparison of processes used in the fabrication of pigments by individual artists, and in many cases offer information on how to repair the damaged parts. 

scholarly journals Non-destructive handheld XRF study of archaeological composite silver objects—the case study of the late Roman Seuso Treasure

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktória Mozgai ◽  
Bernadett Bajnóczi ◽  
Zoltán May ◽  
Zsolt Mráv
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
High Quality ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Composite Objects ◽  
Mechanical Attachment ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Made In ◽  
Late Roman

AbstractThis study details the non-destructive chemical analysis of composite silver objects (ewers, situlas, amphora and casket) from one of the most significant late Roman finds, the Seuso Treasure. The Seuso Treasure consists of fourteen large silver vessels that were made in the fourth–early fifth centuries AD and used for dining during festive banquets and for washing and beautification. The measurements were systematically performed along a pre-designed grid at several points using handheld X-ray fluorescence analysis. The results demonstrate that all the objects were made from high-quality silver (above 90 wt% Ag), with the exception of the base of the Geometric Ewer B. Copper was added intentionally to improve the mechanical properties of soft silver. The gold and lead content of the objects shows constant values (less than 1 wt% Au and Pb). The chemical composition as well as the Bi/Pb ratio suggests that the parts of the composite objects were manufactured from different silver ingots. The ewers were constructed in two ways: (i) the base and the body were made separately, or (ii) the ewer was raised from a single silver sheet. The composite objects were assembled using three methods: (i) mechanical attachment; (ii) low-temperature, lead-tin soft solders; or (iii) high-temperature, copper-silver hard solders. Additionally, two types of gilding were revealed by the XRF analysis, one with remnants of mercury, i.e. fire-gilding, and another type without remnants of mercury, presumably diffusion bonding.

Mycenaean black inlaid metalware in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens: a technical examination

1995 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 137-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Demakopoulou ◽  
E. Mangou ◽  
R. E. Jones ◽  
E. Photos-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Gold Alloy ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Silver Alloys ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Gold Silver ◽  
Technical Examination ◽  
Technical Interest ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Analysis Point

Current technical interest in the nature of the black inlaid decoration on ancient metalware has stimulated an examination of some of the well-known bronze daggers, silver vessels, and other fragments, all with inlaid decoration and dating to the 16–14th centuries BC, from Mycenae, Prosymna, Dendra, Routsi, and Pylos. Results of non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis point to great versatility in working with copper (or bronze)–gold–silver alloys. The black inlaid decoration is usually copper/bronze–gold alloy with small quantities of silver. Four of the objects were also examined by X-ray radiography.

Synchrotron X-ray Microbeam Characteristics for X-ray Fluorescence Analysis

1994 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 283-289
Author(s):  
A. Iida ◽  
T. Noma
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Spectroscopic Analysis ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Beam Size ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Practical Analysis ◽  
Micro Analysis ◽  
Non Destructive

X-ray fluorescence analysis using a synchrotron x-ray microprobe has become an indispensable technique for non-destructive micro-analysis. One of the most important parameters that characterize the x-ray microbeam system for x-ray fluorescence analysis is the beam size. For practical analysis, however, the photon flux, the energy resolution and the available energy range are also crucial. Three types of x-ray microbeam systems, including monochromatic and continuum excitation systems, were compared with reference to the sensitivity, the minimum detection limit and the applicability to various types of x-ray spectroscopic analysis.

Microstructural Features of Bronze-Coated Iron Coins from the Roman Empire

2014 ◽  
Vol 782 ◽  
pp. 629-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Strobl ◽  
Roland Haubner
Keyword(s):  
Roman Empire ◽  
Copper Alloy ◽  
Intermetallic Phase ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Optical Microscope ◽  
Molten Copper ◽  
Iron Core ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Materials Used

At the late second and early third century coin copies, termed subferrata, were produced in the provinces Noricum and Pannonia of the Roman Empire. Subferrata consist of an iron core, which was plated with a copper alloy. To get information about the manufacturing process and the materials used, coins were cut and investigated after metallographic preparation by light optical microscope (LOM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy disperse X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to get information about the local chemical compositions. The general composition was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis (RFA). The Cu alloy coatings consist of Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn and small amounts of Ag. This alloy is a variant of gunmetal, known as leaded red brass. The coatings show mainly differences in the Pb and Sn content and moreover the intermetallic phase Cu41Sn11 was found. Inside the red brass coating droplet-shaped iron inclusions were observed. Near the interface, between coating and iron core, Cu and Pb were detected at the grain boundaries (liquid metal embrittlement). Probably, the iron flan was plated by immersing in a molten copper alloy. In the ferritic-pearlitic iron core, slag inclusions and regions with various carbon contents were observed. Furthermore, deformation twins (Neumann lines) were found in the Fe core ́s microstructure, leading to the suggestion that coining was performed after cooling the flan.

Pushing the limits: an instrument for hard X-ray imaging below 20 nm

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Nazaretski ◽  
K. Lauer ◽  
H. Yan ◽  
N. Bouet ◽  
J. Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ongoing Effort ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Synchrotron Facility ◽  
Imaging Resolution ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Stability ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Non Destructive

Hard X-ray microscopy is a prominent tool suitable for nanoscale-resolution non-destructive imaging of various materials used in different areas of science and technology. With an ongoing effort to push the 2D/3D imaging resolution down to 10 nm in the hard X-ray regime, both the fabrication of nano-focusing optics and the stability of the microscope using those optics become extremely challenging. In this work a microscopy system designed and constructed to accommodate multilayer Laue lenses as nanofocusing optics is presented. The developed apparatus has been thoroughly characterized in terms of resolution and stability followed by imaging experiments at a synchrotron facility. Drift rates of ∼2 nm h−1accompanied by 13 nm × 33 nm imaging resolution at 11.8 keV are reported.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Two Albanian Post-Byzantine Icons Attributed to Simoni i Ardenices

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Enrico Franceschi ◽  
Dion Nole ◽  
Stefano Vassallo
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Medieval Art ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Painting Technique ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Light Reflectance ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Byzantine Icons ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
Non Destructive

Aims: The present study is part of a project concerning the characterisation of a limited number of selected Albanian Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, through the identification of pigments, of painting technique and the state of conservation of the artworks. The Albanian iconographers produced an extraordinary amount of icons from the 14th till the 19th century, and over six thousand of them are kept in the Museum of Medieval Art of Korça (Albania). This paper refers to the results obtained in the study of two artworks, the first one by Simoni i Ardenices an important Albanian painter of XVII century, and the second one attributed to him. Study Design:  The present work is part of a more general study concerning Albanian Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. Place and Duration of Study: Museum of Medieval Art of Korça, Albania, between June 2008 and July 2009. Methodology: The work was conducted by non-destructive methods, X-ray fluorescence, visible light reflectance spectrophotometry and UV fluorescence analysis, according to a systematic procedure developed in the same Chemical Physical Laboratory for Cultural Heritage. A number of areas, for each painting, were chosen in order to carry out the measurements. With this procedure, we could identify the inorganic pigments from their characteristic features. Moreover, the study of the chemical physical properties of paintings is of fundamental importance for any accurate restoration intervention.  Results and Conclusion: The present work, concerning the study of two icons of the second half of 17th century by Simoni i Ardenices, has allowed us to identify the painting technique and the palette used in these works of art. Moreover, the areas of the paintings in which old restorations have been made have also been identified.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document