Testing the applicability of handheld portable XRF to the characterisation of archaeological copper alloys

  • Nicholas M
  • Manti P
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Abstract

Falling costs, smaller sizes, and increasingly user-friendly interfaces have led to the wide use of handheld portable x-ray fluorescence (HHpXRF) instruments in the analyses of cultural heritage objects. Methodological considerations on the validity of results derived from HHpXRF have led to debates in conservation and archaeological literature. Relatively little attention has been paid to the applicability of HHpXRF to the characterization of archaeological copper alloys. This contribution evaluates the use of Bruker AXS Tracer III-SD on a range of certified copper alloys, which were selected based on their occurrence in antiquity. Alloys were then electrochemically corroded and analyzed to examine the impact of corrosion layers on HHpXRF data. Qualitative and quantitative data processing methods are compared and the impact of source-to-sample distance on the HHpXRF results is examined. The implications and relevance of data accuracy are discussed, with regard to archaeological interpretation and uses in conservation.International Council of Museums

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APA

Nicholas, M., & Manti, P. (2014). Testing the applicability of handheld portable XRF to the characterisation of archaeological copper alloys. In J. Bridgland (Ed.), ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference Preprints, Melbourne, 15–19 September 2014. Paris: International Council of Museums.

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