I sent this message earlier and I got a rejection because of a
subscription problem that I've since fixed--my apologies if you
receive this twice.
David Killick is right, synchrotron analysis can provide
"metallographic parameters such as grain size, residual stress and
spatial distribution of elements." However, I was part of a
synchrotron experiment a few years ago using copper and bronze samples
prepared for metallography and there was disagreement between
metallographic observations and the synchrotron readings in some of
the results. At last check, the elemental results will be qualitative
rather than quantitative so Ernst Pernicka right about LA-ICP-MS on
that count (as well as the export issue, if that can't be overcome).
However, spatial resolution is possible, especially if imaging
capacities of synchrotron radiography are used which will get you part
of the way toward something like non-destructive metallography. We
were not able to do that but Marcus Young has done it with Chinese
bronze--see:
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and imaging of ancient Chinese bronzes.
Authors: Young, M. L.; Casadio, F.; Schnepp, S.; Almer, J.; Haeffner,
D. R.; Dunand, D. C. Applied Physics A, Volume 83, Issue 2, pp.163-168
Problem with iron is it's denser. The synchrotron beam can penetrate
something like a centimeter in bronze, so certainly less in iron.
However, this probably wouldn't pose a problem with a blade like
Tut's. Maybe CT scanning might also help?
Best,
Dave Peterson
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