Micro Raman investigation on corrosion of Pb‐based alloy replicas of letters from the museum Plantin‐Moretus, Antwerp

Corrosion of lead (Pb)-based alloys, particularly those containing antimony (Sb) and tin (Sn), can pose significant challenges for the conservation of historical artefacts. A study investigating replicas of letters from the Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex in Antwerp revealed that exposure to acetic and formic acid vapours leads to the formation of hydrated Pb and Sn acetates and formates, with Sb-rich specimens exhibiting increased volume and brittleness. Micro Raman Spectroscopy (μRS) also detected metallic Sb peaks, suggesting that Sb influences corrosion behaviour. This finding underscores the need for careful conservation strategies when dealing with Pb-based artefacts containing Sb, as their restoration can be complicated by these corrosion products.

Ghiara, G., Campodonico, S., Piccardo, P., Martini, C., Storme, P., & Carnasciali, M. M. (2014). Micro Raman investigation on corrosion of Pb‐based alloy replicas of letters from the museum Plantin‐Moretus, Antwerp. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 45(11-12), 1093–1102. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4592