Research on Corrosion of Lead Printing Letters from the Museum Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp

Research on lead-antimony printing letters from the UNESCO-listed Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex in Antwerp reveals corrosion with exceptional volume increase, posing significant conservation challenges. The study employed a combination of analytical techniques—including microscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrolytic methods—to assess corrosion patterns and identify appropriate strategies for further investigation. An adapted Oddy test was also utilized to evaluate environmental factors contributing to degradation. This work provides critical insights into the preservation of historical metal artifacts, particularly those with complex alloy compositions, and highlights the need for specialized conservation approaches.

Storme, P., Jacobs, M., & Lieten, E. (2013). Research on Corrosion of Lead Printing Letters from the Museum Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp. Procedia Chemistry, 8, 307–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proche.2013.03.038