Treatment and Conservation of Ecclesiastical Bronze Bells, With Application on a Selected Object"

Abstract

The ancient Egyptians knew the bells manufacturing, bronze bells were known from the 23rd dynasty. In China, the first small bronze bells were manufactured in 2000 BC, large bells were spread out in many European countries thereafter. The bronze bell alloy is about 21% to 24% tin. Many other elements are added to improve the properties of the alloy including sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, lead, and others. However, Bronze bells suffer from different failure mechanisms leading to cracks with limited possibility of remedy. The traditional treatment methods for cracked bells affects harmfully the base metal, inscriptions, or the functionality of the bell. Therefore, there is a need to explore a new non-traditional methodology for bell crack restoration.