Micromechanical study of corrosion products layers. Part I: Experimental characterization

A micromechanical characterization had been performed on ancient artefacts corrosion products. The proposed experimental approach allies scanning electron microscopy observations, micro-indentation tests which allow the characterization of the local stiffness of elementary constituents, and finally Raman micro-spectroscopy tests which give access to the local crystallised phases of the samples. The experimental campaign contains a large series of tests, which give us the opportunity to interpret the dispersion of local stiffness measurements.

► The mechanical characterization of oxide formed on ancient ferrous artefacts has been performed. ► The main phases present are goethite, magnetite and maghemite. ► Typical ranges of the local mechanical properties can be related with the main phases present. ► The Young moduli at the micrometric scale vary between 50 and 200 GPa. ► Time dependent effects are negligible.