This article presents research results obtained in the 4th framework (1994-1998) of the
Standards, Measurements and Testing (SM& T) Program of the European Union, DG XII:
the IMMACO project (Improvement of Means of Measurements on Archaeological
Copper Alloys for characterization and Conservation). One of the aims of this project was
to study copper alloy compositions of European objects dating from the Bronze Age to
Roman times. This work has revealed that five types of alloys seem to be particularly
representative of what was produced in these countries during this period. These alloy
compositions will be certified as reference materials by the European Union. In the
second part, artificial patinas have been made on the different bronze alloys using
electrochemical polarizations as surface modification techniques. The characterization of
the corrosion surfaces and interfaces formed during the treatment with "light microscopy"
(LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX, X-Ray maping) have shown that the
artificial patinas seem to be very close to those from excavations. As a consequence, the
patined samples can be used as a substitute for genuine artifacts in the future to improve
conservations techniques.