Stopping corrosion around the world: an investigation into protective surface coatings on arms and armour

Abstract

AbstractNo matter where in the world a museum is based, deterioration of its collection is a problem faced by all. However, a protective coating in use in one country may not be suitable to use in another due to their different environments. This paper will investigate the use of surface coatings (not including lacquers) for application on arms and armour, the different requirements of the coatings, and what has been used as a coating both historically and at present in both the commercial and museum fields. It will consider experiences encountered both in the UK and abroad in order to present the results of a number of material tests. These tests are designed to enable consideration of the effectiveness of these coatings in a standard environment and in a polluted environment on different metals. Results will also be presented for tests carried out to consider the thermal and photolytic deterioration of the coatings on organic materials in order to ascertain which coatings are most suitable for different...