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This work describes experimental results concerning the chemical composition of the alloy patina and inlays from the medieval copper alloy door of the cathedral of Troia (southern Italy), dating back to 1127 CE. The analyses were conducted in situ with no sampling or sample preparation required, using a portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instrument. The compositional results show that the two door leaves were made using a binary alloy of copper and lead, while the nails, lion protomes, and handles have a different chemical composition. Moreover, the analyses revealed uniform concentrations of chlorine, probably due to cleaning treatments during the restoration. It is important to emphasise that the obtained results are the only ones related to this valuable masterpiece analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the analyses carried out on the medieval copper alloy door (1111–1118 AD) of the mausoleum of Boemondo d'Altavilla in Canosa di Puglia (Southern Italy). The studied door is the smallest medieval bronze door extant in Italy and, unlike the other Byzantine doors, was most probably made in Canosa di Puglia and not in Constantinople. Analyses were performed to assess the chemical composition of the alloy patinas using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instrument designed at the University of Salento. The experimental results suggested that the two door leaves have the same chemical composition, even if they appear different in both style and size. Furthermore, the alloy used for the door is different from the other previously-analyzed Byzantine bronze doors. The obtained results can be used in the future to compare the chemical composition of other Byzantine doors in order to better understand the manufacture of these precious artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is the analysis of main elements of the patinas on an outdoor bronze monument, through the use of a portable Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) equipment. In particular we investigated the concentration of copper, tin, lead, calcium, iron, sulphur and chlorine on the patinas of a bronze statue dedicated to Sigismondo Castromediano, which was created in 1905 and later placed in Lecce (Apulia, Southern Italy). Thanks to the versatility of the EDXRF portable apparatus we carried out a complete scan of the monument in a relatively short time. This has enabled us to obtain useful information on the patinas in a completely non-invasive way. EDXRF experimental data demonstrated that the two analysed parts of the monument are constituted by different bronzes, whereas the elements that characterize the depositions are equivalent in the two monitored parts. Moreover, multivariate statistical analysis was carried out in order to identify possible correlations and/or differences of elemental composition among the patinas of these two statues. Finally, a X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out on a sample of deposit collected from an area of the statue not exposed to the washing away, in order to identify the phases of the deposit and to evaluate possible corrosion products. The main results of XRD analysis show that there are not corrosion products and the deposit is due to suspended particulate. The information obtained can be helpful for both archaeological and conservation studies for possible future monitoring and/or restoration work of the statue in object. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many objects of common use (tools, utensils, metals, knick-knacks, dishes and glasses) and artifacts (for example paintings of all types) are composed of two or more layers. In many cases, it would be useful to determine the correct location, composition and thickness of the various layers. Non-destructive and non-invasive methods are described, based on energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence which are able to 'reconstruct' the complete structure of a multilayered sample. These methods use, in different ways, the ratios of characteristic X-rays emitted by the elements of the layers, and, in particular, two effects can be usefully employed, effects which are based on the differential attenuation of Kα and Kβ or Lα and Lβ X-rays: Different self-attenuation of K or L X-rays emitted by an element characterizing a layer because of the different energy of the two K or L X-rays;, Different attenuation of the two K or L X-rays of an element characterizing a layer by a second superimposed layer., Furthermore, the ratio of the Kα (or Lα) X-rays emitted by an element characterizing the internal layer, to the Kα (or Lα) X-rays emitted by an element characterizing a second superimposed layer, can also be employed in the 'reconstruction' of the layers. In this paper, the theoretical background of all these methods is described, and typical examples are shown. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using GaSe detectors for x-ray beams dosimetry has been evaluated. Direct current produced by high fluxes of 130 and 170 kV x ray at different exposure rates was measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]