The atmospheric corrosion of quaternary bronzes: An evaluation of the dissolution rate of the alloying elements

A comparative evaluation of the corrosion behaviour of a G85 bronze in acid rain solutions was performed. As weathering technique, a wet–dry device was used to simulate a cyclic exposure to stagnant rain. The weathering solutions were a collected natural rain and an artificial solution reproducing the natural rain. The solutions were periodically monitored as concerns pH and metallic ion concentrations. On the aged specimens, surface studies were performed through OM, SEM and Raman analyses. At the end of weathering tests (40 days), weight loss measurements were carried out.