Materiálový průzkum bronzových soch první poloviny 20. století

Common problem in restoration research and following restoration intervention is a range of corrosion attack of object. Range of corrosion attack is associated with corrosion resistance of material in given atmospheric conditions. Corrosion resistance of in exterior situated statues which were studied here is good. It is given by composition of bronze (exactly tin bronze), i.e. corrosion resistance its base metals – copper and tin. These metals are coated by protective layer of insoluble corrosion products which decrease corrosion rate of bronze. These are tin oxides and copper compounds of various chemical compositions; it depends on environment and on pollution degree. Durability of statue is influenced with other factor which should be taken in account – structure and processing quality of material, in case of bronze statues metallurgical quality of casting. Occurrence and amount of metallurgical defects may lead to destruction of bronze casting in extreme cause namely/and independently on process of corrosion. Six bronze statues dated back to the first half of 20th century which has been restored recently were subjected to the material analysis. Differences in the chemical composition of bronze, effect of composition on the mechanical properties and metallurgical quality of castings were studied.