Process for cleaning surfaces of cultural heritage metal objects

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for cleaning the surfaces of ferrous and non-ferrous metal objects by electrolysis, including heritage objects and artifacts of national and / or international heritage value. The electrolytic process according to the invention consists in introducing the piece into a tank made of electrically insulating material containing an electrolyte consisting of a mixture of solution 1 of 20...40% copper acetate concentration and a solution 2 of acetic acid of 40...50% concentration, mixed in a volume ratio of 30...60 / 70...40 solution 1 / solution 2, the part to be cleaned, finely cleaned of dust and other deposits by brushing and wiped with a soft cloth, is connected to the anode, and the counterpiece, made of the same material as the part to be cleaned, is connected to the cathode of the electrolysis installation by means of a special clamping device, the distance between the anode and the cathode can be modified by means of the device, the installation is powered from an electrical voltage source of 15.5...18.5 V DC, for 2...4.5 hours, at room temperature, after which the part is removed from the installation, washed with water, dried and finally wiped with a soft cotton cloth, resulting in a part with a clean surface without deformations.