C356 Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 160 (8) C356-C363 (2013) 0013-4651/2013/160(8)/C356/8/$31.00 © The Electrochemical Society Corrosion Inhibition of Bronze and Its Patina Exposed to Acid Rain

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of 1-H benzimidazole as a corrosion inhibitor in protection of cultural artifacts made of bronze. For that purpose1-H benzimidazole was studied on bare and patinated Cu-6Sn bronze, exposed to urban environments. Dissolution of bare and patinated bronze was investigated by potentiodynamic techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The microstructure of the bronze surface exposed to the inhibitor was examined by SEM/EDS. 1-H benzimidazole showed a very good protective effect in sulfate/carbonate media which simulate urban acid rainfall. Benzimidazole protected the Cu-6Sn bronze covered by electrochemical patina by stabilizing the patina layer and by slowing down dissolution of bronze substrate. © 2013 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.063308jes] All rights reserved. Manuscript submitted March 4, 2013; revised manuscript received May 7, 2013. Published May 16, 2013. Many structural alloys corrode merely from exposure to humidity and the process can be further aggravated by presence of certain substances, such as CO2, SO2, NOx, O3, seawater, etc.1 It has been known for several centuries that air pollutants emitted by burning of fossil fuels have a serious impact on buildings. The effects include loss of mechanical strength and leakage, as well as a failure of protectiv