On the nature of thin films of speculum metal. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: E.A., Nazimudeen; T.E., Girish; Abraham, Sunila
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 16(2018)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 319
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Speculum metal -- Metal mirror -- Optical reflection -- Thin films; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2018.07.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Highlights: Detailed microstructure of reflecting portion of a speculum metal. Preparation and characterization of thin films of speculum metal using XRD and AFM techniques. Identification of metallurgical phases in speculum metal surface, which is quasi- amorphous in nature. Optical reflectance studies of speculum metal in cast form and thin film. Abstract: The invention of speculum metal must have been an achievement of considerable importance in the bronze-age world. In modern scientific world, it has some brilliant engineering applications apart from its archaeometallurgical importance. We report our experimental investigations on the detailed chemical composition and microstructure of the reflecting surface of cast and thin film form of speculum metal for the first time using an integrated approach combining EDS, XRD and AFM analyses techniques. We could prepare thin films of cast speculum with significantly higher optical reflectance by thermal evaporation method. The constituent particles in the reflecting surface of cast and thin film form of speculum metal exist in nanoscale as evident from XRD and AFM analyses.