Distinguishability between ancient and modern leaded tin bronzes by the composition of their lead inclusions using neutron diffraction: prel

The composition of lead inclusions in modern and ancient leaded tin bronzes was studied by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. It was found that the lattice parameter of lead inclusions in all bronzes was smaller than the lattice parameter of pure lead. This determination indicates that lead inclusions in bronzes are nothing else but Pb-Sn solid solutions.Tin concentration in lead inclusions in modern bronzes was not less than 3%, whereas for ancient bronzes was as low as 1%. This difference enables a distinction between ancient bronze artefacts and modern products including the most sophisticated counterfeits. X-ray diffraction is not always suitable since preparation of the surface is necessary. We propose to use ND as an alternative method for the measurement of the lattice parameter of lead inclusions with precision about 0.001 Å.