A structural and mechanical study of the maintenance of archaeological Al-brass alloy by simulation method

The purpose of this research is to investigate the casting process of producing Al-brass alloy (76% Cu, 22% Zn, 2% Al) and destroying it chemically in accordance with the methods used in simulating damaged archaeological samples; this was achieved by immersing the alloy in a dilute solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with a concentration of 8% molar for 24 hours. This was followed by treatment with a 300 mJ, Nd: YAG laser for 10 seconds at 100 cm, leading to the four stages of the alloy. The damaged alloy had the lowest levels of structural properties with a low hardness value, as opposed to the laser-treated alloy, which had the best structural properties. The results of X-ray diffraction and microscopic imaging by an atomic force microscope and hardness values show that this method is the best way to maintenance.