Treatment of corroded copper artifacts by RF hydrogen plasma and substantial reduction of chlorides

摘要

RF hydrogen plasma is used for the treatment of corroded copper artifacts in order to clean the surface from the corrosion layer and to eliminate the chlorides which are the main causes of post corrosion. The plasma action is sufficient in the cleaning operation, however for the dechlorination some remaining forms of chlorides still exist after the plasma treatment. A substantial reduction of those chlorides is easily achieved by washing the objects for a certain time in deionized water.