Multimodal non-destructive analysis of bronze mirror combining IR thermography and 3D scanning

Journal article

This study presents a multimodal approach integrating infrared thermography with 3D laser scanning for the thermal characterization of bronze antiquities with non-uniform thickness. Traditional methods often conflate material properties and geometric effects, which can lead to inaccurate estimation of thermal diffusivity. To overcome this, a framework was developed to align 3D geometric data with transient thermal responses. Experiments on bronze mirrors demonstrate that the proposed method effectively compensates for thickness gradients, revealing intrinsic material heterogeneity, including localized thermal anomalies linked to tin segregation. COMSOL-based simulations validate the applicability of the 1D heat transfer model in regions with mild thickness variation. By separating geometric and material effects, the methodology enhances defect detection and provides quantitative guidance for conservation strategies.

Authors: Xie, Z; Yang, X; Tang, H; Chen, B; Liu, W

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: SpringerOpen
• Journal: npj Heritage Science
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Article number: 525
• Publication date: 2025-10-16
• Acceptance date: 2025-10-07
• DOI: 10.1038/s40494-025-02104-z
• EISSN: 3059-3220
• Language: English