Corrosion Processes, Nature and Composition of Corrosion Products on Iron Artefacts of Weaponry

 

Bore Jegdić

Suzana Polić-Radovanović

Slavica Ristić

Ana Alil

 

The paper outlines the corrosion processes occurring in different types of iron artefacts of weaponry and military equipment while buried and after excavation. Special attention was given to the description of the nature and the composition of corrosion products on the surface of iron artefacts, which provided their protection over thousands of years. The corrosion processes occurring after the excavation can cause a rapid deterioration of these objects in relatively mild conditions. Being particularly dangerous for archaeological iron weapons and military equipment, these processes are dealt with here in detail.

Key words: armament, weaponry and military equipment, iron, corrosion, corrosion products.