The atmospheric corrosion of quaternary bronzes: an evaluation of the dissolution rate of the alloying elements

A comparative evaluation of the corrosion behaviour of a G85 bronze in acid rain solutions was performed. As weathering technique, a wet–dry device was used to simulate a cyclic exposure to stagnant rain. The weathering solutions were a collected natural rain and an artificial solution reproducing the natural rain. The solutions were periodically monitored as concerns pH and metallic ion concentrations. On the aged specimens, surface studies were performed through OM, SEM and Raman analyses. At the end of weathering tests (40 days), weight loss measurements were carried out. The aim of this work was to examine the reproducibility in laboratory of the corrosive conditions determined by a natural acid rain. The final goal of this research is to investigate the dissolution of a quaternary alloy exposed to acid rains. The results showed slightly different corrosion behaviours as a consequence of the exposure to natural or synthetic rain. Concerning the mechanism of corrosion of G85 bronze, the innovative approach adopted in this study allowed one to point out the contribution of each alloying element to the general corrosion. Actually, while Cu and Pb progressively form insoluble corrosion compounds, Zn continuously dissolves, without forming detectable insoluble products. The absence of dissolved tin is remarkable.