OVERVIEW

Metals represent one of the key materials in the evolution of humanity and as such have entered every area of life. Knowing metallurgy means being able to understand what is written inside a find (the choice of alloy, the processing techniques, the history of use). Knowing how to choose the investigation techniques means being able to understand a work well beyond its appearance and provides essential tools for the conservation of the object and the knowledge it contains.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is dedicated to a wide range of students from both scientific and humanities backgrounds. Therefore, the objectives are as follows:

- Attain a proper understanding of the information obtainable from the study of metallic objects.

- Contribute to the study with appropriate questions and a consistent choice of instrumentation.

- Learn to interpret the results critically.

- Set up experimental activities.

- Provide insights into understanding corrosion processes, stabilization and consolidation procedures, and parameters influencing alteration phenomena.

- Establish correlations between the acquired data and archaeological, historical, or historical-artistic information to formulate a correct interpretation of the nature of the artifact and the related techniques.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student has:

• correct understanding of the information obtainable from the study of metal objects: metal materials have the ability to collect information on the shaping steps and on the practices of use. In other words, events such as: the choice of alloy, the choice of cooling process, the shaping techniques (hot and cold), the practices of use, the passage through involuntary thermal phenomena (e.g. fire, blaze, use on a domestic fire) leave a trace on the microstructure.

• correct questions with a coherent choice of instruments: learn to support cultural heritage sector specialists in communicating what information can be extracted from a find and the most appropriate techniques to optimize the final result and understanding of the find and its conservation needs

• interpret the results with a critical sense: reconstruct the transformation processes and reach the most advanced stage possible in the interpretation of the data

• Set up experimental activities: hypothesize and carry out practical tests that operate to support the interpretation of the collected research results

• understanding of corrosion processes, stabilization and consolidation procedures, parameters that influence alteration phenomena: from the study of long-term corrosion to the connection with the environment (be it excavation or conservation or exposure) to be able to offer valid support to the subsequent restoration and conservation process

• harmonization of the data collected with information related to the object of the study deriving from parallel aspects that are not strictly metallurgical such as ethnographic, archaeological, historical-artistic knowledge and usage practices.

PREREQUISITES

There are no necessary prerequisites other than those already required by the master's degree course.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is mainly held in the classroom with practical examples and seminars by specialists in the metallurgy sector.

The practical part of the course takes place in the metallurgy laboratory and includes the preparation of alloys of historical-archaeological interest, their metallographic preparation and their characterization.

Visits to museum areas or monumental areas of interest are planned.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) are reminded that in order to request adaptations during the exam, they must first enter the certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University Services Sector for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

Subsequently, well in advance (at least 10 days) of the exam date, an email must be sent to the teacher with whom the exam will be taken, copying both the School Contact Teacher for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above. In the email you must specify:

• the name of the course

• the date of the exam

• the surname, name and student number

• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional and required.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant has the right to request adaptations during the exam and that such adaptations must be agreed with the teacher. The teacher will respond by communicating whether it is possible to use the requested adaptations.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date in order to allow the teacher to evaluate the content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for studying), if the sending does not respect the expected times, there will not be the technical time necessary to make any changes.

For further information regarding the request for services and adaptations, consult the document: Guidelines for the request for services, compensatory tools and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to the course and equalization of basic knowledge levels. Metals from their origins to the present day. Metals and alloys of archaeological, historical and historical-artistic interest. Characteristics common to all metals. Correlation between microstructure, composition, deformation, heat treatments. Correlation between microstructure and mechanical properties. Correlation between the manufacturing process, the type of use and what has been learned about composition and mechanical properties. Introduction to corrosion processes. Case studies based on the type of alloy and the period. Characterization of metallic materials: from sampling to metallography, elemental analysis, characterization of corrosion phases and products, quantitative image analysis.

Laboratory: preparation of an alloy by casting in sand, graphite, steel, brass. Deformation of an alloy by rolling and annealing. Metallographic characterization and elemental analysis. Observations under the optical microscope and the electronic microscope.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lessons and other teaching materials will be available on aul@web. In general, the notes taken during the lessons and the material on aul@web are sufficient for the preparation of the exam.

Daniel A. Brandt, Metallurgy Fundamentals, Goodheart-Willcox; Sixth Edition, Textbook (October 9, 2019)

Metals and Mines: studies in archaeometallurgy, by S. La Niece and D. Hook, 2007, Archetype Pubns

K. Gayathri Subrahmanyam, Archaeometallurgy in Proto and Early Historic Periods, 2014

A. Hauptmann, Archaeometallurgy – Materials Science Aspects, 2020, Springer Nature

Archaeometallurgy, by Chang Ock Choi and Jea-Young Choi, 2020, Trans Tech Publications Ltd

Reverse Engineering of Ancient Metals, Editors: Patricia Silvana Carrizo, Springer 2021

In case the student autonomously finds a book potentially suitable for this teaching, it is mandatory to submit it to the teachers evaluation before to proceed with its usage.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

End of September according to the Master Calendar

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral.

The test is divided into 3 questions, one for each macro topic (1) metals and alloys, 2) critical reading of a paper chosen by the student, 3) suitability of investigation techniques). Each answer is evaluated from 0 to 10 points.

The final grade corresponds to the sum of the points acquired with the answers.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the teacher and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The purpose of the exam is to verify the knowledge acquired about the basic concepts of the course and the ability to connect them logically in describing the correlation between microstructural aspects and macroscopic properties of metallic materials.

The propriety of language and coherence in reasoning are taken into great consideration for the evaluation, giving great importance to the ability to make connections.

The questions are posed in such a way as to allow a detailed exposition on a specific topic. There are three questions and each focuses on one of the three sections that characterize the teaching, leaving room to manage the reasoning. The understanding of the subject and the ability to apply it in the practical field of work and research are assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The teaching can be integrated with a teaching of corrosion and protection and with the teaching of Metallurgy of non-ferrous metals.