Inhibiting Corrosion
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Inhibiting Corrosion

  • Post Date: 06/26/2018
  • Author: Christa Deacy-Quinn
  • Reading Time: 1 minute read

Collections has begun an ongoing project to reduce the risk of corrosion for the Museum’s metal artifacts. So far, we have completed this process for over 1,500 of our small metal artifacts.

  • closeup of student's hands applying label to baggie

Corrosion takes place when electrons from the surface of a metal object react with oxygen molecules in the surrounding air. To prevent or halt corrosion, we place artifacts in ziplock-sealed bags, and use what are called inhibitor strips to absorb the oxygen within. We then label the bags with the date for monitoring purposes.