Infrared thermography for the thermal diffusivity evaluation in Sn-Pb bronze alloys: A tool for the investigation of ancient statuary. (30th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mercuri, F.; Zammit, U.; Paoloni, S.; Caruso, G.; Ferretti, M.; Porcinai, S.; Orazi, N.
• Is Part Of: Measurement. Volume 201(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-30
• Subjects: Pulsed infrared thermography -- Thermal diffusivity measurement -- Bronze alloys -- Thermal transport properties -- Non-destructive evaluation of ancient bronzes; Weights and measures -- Periodicals; Measurement -- Periodicals; Measurement; Weights and measures; Periodicals; 530.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2022.111731
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2241

Abstract

Highlights: Pulsed infrared thermography. Thermal diffusivity measurements carried out on specifically prepared bronze specimens. Electrical conductivity measurement by means of an Eddy current technique. Nondestructive procedure for the evaluation of ancient bronze alloys composition. Abstract: In this work, we report on the application of Pulsed Infrared Thermography for the analysis of the thermal diffusivity dependence on the composition of copper alloys with tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) concentrations typical of ancient bronze artefacts. To this aim, specifically prepared bronzes samples have been investigated. Both the measured thermal diffusivity values and those retrieved from the literature showed a decreasing trend with increasing Sn and Pb concentration. In the overall data analysis, the concentration of Pb atoms was weighted by a coefficient to account for their lower efficiency in reducing the thermal transport properties of the alloy with respect to the Sn atoms. Electrical conductivity values measured on the same samples showed a dependence very similar to that obtained for the thermal conductivity, pointing out the mainly electronic nature of the thermal conductivity in such samples.