Protection of organ pipes using plasma-based nanotechnology


Protection of organ pipes using plasma-based nanotechnology

Pelic, B.; Bregolin, F.; Prucnal, S.; Wiesenhütter, K.; Yankov, R.; Skorupa, W.

The present historical organs are musical instruments, which provide sound impression of divine music spanning six centuries. Unfortunately, organ pipes, traditionally made of PbSn alloys, have been severely affected by corrosion in the last couple of centuries, and particularly over the last decades. A major threat to the historical organs is harmful indoor environments. Thus, it is necessary to develop a method of protecting the organ pipes, so that the significant cultural heritage obtained over many centuries does not get lost. A new conservation concept based on nanotechnology using plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) is proposed here for the protection of PbSn alloys exposed to high levels of acetic acid vapors. Samples of organ-pipe quality PbSn alloys with compositions were processed by PIII of either nitrogen or SF6 for different times and bias voltages. The PIII-treated specimens were subsequently studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study the concentration/depth profiles of the implanted elements. The implant profiles were also simulated with the aid of the SRIM code. Samples were finally examined using an accelerated corrosion tests in an acetic acid ambient. Both the alloy composition and the implant dose were found to strongly influence the corrosion behavior of the PbSn alloys. The best corrosion resistance was obtained for samples consisting of Pb-Sn15-Sb10 and Pb-Sn28, after the implantation of nitrogen to a dose of1E16cm-2.It was revealed that plasma immersion ion implantation can play an important role in the corrosion prevention of the organ pipes in the acetic acid atmosphere. A protection mechanism was accordingly proposed and discussed.

Keywords: Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation; corrosion of organ pipes; PbSn alloy

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Publ.-Id: 18943