Non-destructive Bulk Analysis of the Buggenum Sword by Neutron Resonance Capture Analysis and Neutron Diffraction

Two neutron based techniques, neutron-resonance-capture-analysis (NRCA) and time-of-flight neutron-diffraction (TOF-ND) have been used to determine the elemental composition and structure of a precious and very well preserved all-metal ceremonial sword of the Bronze-Age period. This Buggenam sword was on loan from the National Museum of Antiquities (NMA) in Leiden (NL). NRCA and TOF-ND experiments have been carried out at different positions of the sword. The tin-bronze ratio and the relative amounts of some minor elements (Sb, As, Ag, In) have been determined. The results of neutron diffraction measurements showed considerable tin-segregation and clear indications of hardening on the edge of the blade. In addition, radiographs using Bremsstrahlung revealed the construction of the hilt-blade connection. The work was carried out at the EC Joint Research Centre IRMM in Geel (B) and at the ISIS facility of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK).

POSTMA Hans;  AMKREUTZ Luc;  BORELLA Alessandro;  CLARIJS Martijn;  KAMERMANS Hans;  KOCKELMANN Winfried;  PARADOWSKA Anna;  SCHILLEBEECKX Peter;  VISSER Dirk; 

2010-02-15

SPRINGER

JRC53622

0236-5731,   

http://www.springerlink.com/content/7242u32726211687/,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC53622,   

10.1007/s10967-009-0405-z,