Microstructural characterisation of five simulated archaeological copper alloys using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry

This paper describes the micro structural characterisation of five simulate d archaeological copper alloys, produced by modern powder technology. The c hemical composition of the examined bronzes covers the major families of ar chaeological bronzes from antiquity until the Roman period. Light microscop y (LM), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), scanning electron micr oscopy (SEM) as well as two- and three-dimensional secondary ion mass spect rometry (SIMS) have been used to describe the main properties of the alloys . The results show a heterogeneous microstructure on a micrometer scale, fo rmed by metallic and non-metallic phases. The latter are conglomerates of o xides or sulphides of major or minor elements. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.