Abstract

XRD, Raman analysis, and metallographic analysis are used to identify corrosion products of ancient bronzes
excavated from Qiaojiayuan tombs, and the result indicates that the corrosion products mainly includes
Cu2CO3(OH)2, Cu3(OH)2(CO3)2, Cu2O, Cu2Cl(OH)3, CuCl2·2H2O, PbCO3 and SiO2. It was found that these
ancient bronzes were preserved in a chloric, acidity, and seasonal changed environment. In addition, the ? phase
of the eutectoid was corroded preferentially in this environment. There are lots of corrosion types in these
bronzes, such as electrochemistry corrosion, hole-corrosion, and dot-corrosion. The corrosion products generally
have copper oxychloride, moisture copper chloride and other copper chlorination corrosions, and the position of
the powdery corrosion presents the rust layer structure of “copper- cuprite- paratacamite- malachite- azurite”. At
the same time, the corrosion principles of the bronzes are discussed, and the simple methods scientifically
protecting these bronzes are suggested in the final part of the article.

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