Contemporary Collections: Preprints from the AICCM National Conference 17th g 19th October 2007 Brisbane pp. 122-129
Abstract
The development of micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) enables non-destructive, in-situ analysis of crystalline materials on artworks and archaeological objects. Materials with X-ray diffraction patterns that contain large peak intensities may complicate the identification of other components with lower absorption coefficients, especially if these are present in low concentrations in the sample. Investigation of this issue involved: (1) micro-XRD examination and analysis of the amorphous and crystalline phases of fifteen pigment films; (2) micro-XRD examination and semi-quantitative analysis of a binary pigment mixture, to establish detection limits; and (3) micro-XRD examination, qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of three blue and three white pigments to develop an analytical path for the identification of a blue pigment in a white pigment matrix.