Effect of the Environment on the Metal Release and Corrosion Behavior of Different Copper-Based Alloys: Field Exposures at 5 Different Test Sites in Europe

Diffuse emissions and dispersion of metals from different sources in the society have lately received an increased concern from an environmental perspective. Large research efforts have been initiated and undertaken by the division of Corrosion Science at KTH to fill knowledge gaps on corrosion-induced metal release from external constructions and buildings. The generation of such data is of paramount importance for the on-going assessment of flows and potential adverse environmental effects caused by released metals. Generated information is also essential for an improved understanding of prevailing atmospheric corrosion processes of importance for the preservation of our cultural heritage, e.g. bronze statues exposed to the atmosphere.  
This paper summarizes and compares long-term metal release data from pure copper, bronze (6%wt Sn) and brass (20%wt Zn) exposed at unsheltered conditions in five European environments of significantly different climatic and pollutant conditions; three urban sites (Stockholm-Sweden, Milan-Italy and Madrid-Spain) and two marine sites (Brest-France, Cadiz-Spain). Generated data are interpreted with respect to parallel multi-analytical studies of changes in patina characteristics, corrosion rates and differences in prevailing environmental conditions.