Evaluation of X-Ray Microprobe Nondestructive Analysis for Characterization of Chemical Composition of Ancient Glazes

Investigation and evaluation of historical object's properties and their components with respect to structural, technical and pathological point of view through nondestructive testing (NDT), is one of the most important research field in archaeometry. In this paper, the qualitative and quantitative result of chemical composition of glaze (case study: multicolored tile, probably from Safavied era) is presented through X-ray microprobe analysis (XPMA) and without sampling. Results of this analysis demonstrate the possibility of recognition of major, minor and trace elements in glaze and their amounts, through fast, nondestructive, accurate and facile method. The data obtained from this analysis point to that these glazes can classified in lead glaze group and calcium oxide has flux role in the composition. Colorants such as turquoise blue (copper oxide), yellow (with the presence of iron oxide in the vicinity of calcium oxide) and bright green (chromium oxide), indicate that firing atmosphere of glaze was oxidation environment. Also, characterization of mineralogical and chemical composition of this sample was carried out through elemental, phases and thermal analysis (XRF, XRD, and STA) and petrography. The results indicate that firing temperature of tile body has been 800 – 850℃ in oxidation condition.