19th Century Wooden Ship Sheathing. A Case of Study: The Materials of Puerto Pirámides 1, Península Valdés

A copper alloy sheathing fragment and tacks from the 19th-century shipwreck site Puerto Pirámides 1, Península Valdés (Argentina), exhibit unique compositions and microstructures distinct from those found in similar artifacts of the same period. This discovery challenges established knowledge about naval materials used during this era. Researchers employed metallographic analysis via Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) alongside chemical composition determination using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). These findings highlight the diversity in material use for ship protection against wood-infesting organisms, offering new insights into maritime history.

De Rosa, H. M., Ciarlo, N. C., Pichipil, M., & Castelli, A. (2015). 19th Century Wooden Ship Sheathing. A Case of Study: The Materials of Puerto Pirámides 1, Península Valdés. Procedia Materials Science, 9, 177–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mspro.2015.04.023