• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.381-390
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• 2017

Desalination is the main focus of the stabilization of iron artifacts. However, drawbacks such as re-corrosion are noted due to the uncertainty in the elimination of the corrosive factors and artifacts. Several studies have been carried out on the effects of corrosion inhibitors to overcome these shortcomings. In this study, the effects of type 3 water treatment on corrosion inhibitors were investigated. Surfaces of samples that contained film corrosion inhibitors on their surfaces were analyzed. The results revealed that the surface rust was removed from the sample of type 1 No. 2 that was mainly composed of phosphate. The average weight reduction rates of re-corrosion samples were 0.58, 0.03, and 0.07% for type 1 No. 2, type 2 No. 2, and type 3 No. 2 respectively. The changes in the $Cl^-$ ion, a corrosive agent were found to be 28.60, -4.08, and -1.94 ppm for type 1 No. 2, type 2 No. 2, and type 3 No. 2 respectively. The water-treated films were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that type 2 No. 2 had less Fe the basis metal, than that in type 3 No. 2 indicating much better film. Moreover, Si content was higher in type 2 No. 2, based on the silicate content, than in type 3 No. 2. They are speculated to be the reason or the formation of a better film. Type 1 No. 2, which is mainly composed of phosphate, would be inappropriate as a metal artifact conservation treatment. It was determined that type 2 No. 2 and type 3 No. 2 water treatments, which are mainly composed of silicate, provided excellent corrosion inhibiting effects. Corrosion inhibitors could be used as emergency treatment agents during the excavation of iron artifacts.