Abstract
The aim of the present study is to determine the role of tin on the corrosion behaviour of bronzes. For this purpose, different nuances of single phase α-Cu(Sn) are immersed in a 10–2 mol L–1 deaerated sulphate solution, buffered at pH 6·8. Then, the chemical–physical and electrochemical characterisation of an artificial patina, thin layer of corrosion products electrochemically formed at the surface of a 7 wt-% tin bronze are performed. First of all, the synthesised species are cathodically reduced. The successive steps of the potential–time curves, characteristic of the electrochemical reactions occurring at the electrode surface, are successfully calibrated with reference oxides. In order to complete the previous results, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiles are carried out by abrading progressively the oxidised surface. The deconvoluted XPS and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) spectra speak in favour of an ‘alloy/SnO2/Cu2O’ layered structure similar to that reported in the literature. Analyses carried out on the oxidised samples by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirm this pattern.
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