Corrosion Mineralogy of Pennies, Nickels, and Dimes in Different Environments
- UNCA Author/Contributor (non-UNCA co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Alesia Griesmyer, Student (Creator)
- Institution
- University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA )
- Web Site: http://library.unca.edu/
- Advisor
- John W Miller
Abstract: Coin currency will degrade when left to the natural environment, forming mineral products as corrosion rinds. The purpose of this study was to determine what mineral products form from the corrosion of certain coins, and their relative extent under different environmental conditions. Two types of pennies (new and old), dimes, and nickels were placed in three different aquatic environments, allowed to corrode, and periodically analyzed. Methods for analysis included scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) and powder X-raydiffractometry (XRD). Coins exposed to salt water, at Emerald Isle Marsh and Anderson Dock, had more severe corrosion than coins in freshwater, at Bent Creek. A total of eight minerals were identified as copper corrosionproducts. No nickel corrosion minerals developed on any of the samples.
Corrosion Mineralogy of Pennies, Nickels, and Dimes in Different Environments
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Created on 3/6/2015
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Other
- UNC Asheville - Journal of Undergraduate Research
- Language: English
- Date: 2013
- Keywords
- mineral corrosion, coins