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Industrial development continues to present challenges for manufacturers. One of them is additive manufacturing (AM) with metallic materials. One promising solution is wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). Currently, WAAM is a more promising tool for developers, firstly due to the simplicity of its realization and secondly for its cost-effectiveness. Building materials are represented by welding wires, so the deposition rate is favorable. A pulse power source is commonly used in this scheme of realization. Much less attention has been paid to the optimization of the power source working regime, i.e., welding mode. Indeed, the power determines the whole process of WAAM. Therefore, in the present work, an attempt has been made to perform a scientifically based design for the optimal welding mode. The austenitic welding wire was chosen to eliminate phase-transition effects in the solid state of the deposited metal. As a result of the investigation, the advantages of the designed welding mode for WAAM application are made clear. Successful efforts have been made to optimize welding modes for WAAM applications. This study is important for manufacturers as well as engineers and scientists.

The progress of the study of biomedical materials and devices, as well as their advancement, especially depend on the application of efficient characterization techniques to evaluate key physical parameters connected to performances, damage and quality. A main aim is to establish correct relationships between macroscopic functional properties and nano(micro)-characteristics. Numerous invasive biomedical devices, e.g., as planned to remain in the human body for the entire life of the patient, once implanted, operate in the ionic environment of the blood and in contact with the released substances and cells. The consequent effects must be added to the other aging factors: the dynamic stress of the pulsation is one of these effects and concerns the operational of self-expandable stents installed in arteries such as the carotid to correct stenosis. Neutron beam techniques are an excellent tool to study materials and parts of biomedical interest, contributing to solve important questions linked with the methodological restrictions of the analysis methods generally adopted: their results, complementarily, can help improving quality and functionality. This paper concerns the advanced nano(micro)-characterization of biomedical materials and parts by these non-destructive and non-invasive nuclear methods. Some examples related to the biological field are also mentioned. For applications in the biomedical and in the industrial sectors, the Rogante Engineering Office has developed particular methodological approaches and dedicated processing and treatment procedures.

The spontaneous wetting and drying of flat porous samples of linen, cotton and synthetic textiles were studied using dynamic neutron radiography (DNR). The progress of the wetting process of the media was delineated from the obtained neutron dynamical radiography images. The results of the investigation reveal a non-classical behaviour of kinetics of wicking of these materials. The character of the wetting kinetics is discussed in terms of the fractal character of the tortuosity of fabric capillaries.

The long-term cooperation between the Rogante Engineering Office (REO) and the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (PNPI) of the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute” in the field of neut...

International audience; In this paper, the effect of the welding thermal cycle (WTC) on the structure and properties of the S460M steel heat affected zone (HAZ) metal has been studied. In particular, the changes in the mechanical properties vs the HAZ metal cooling rate in the 600÷500 °C temperature range was studied for S460M model samples, heat-treated in accordance with WTCs. The results from the experimental data refers to the static strength, ductility, and impact toughness values at the level of the base metal, as well as to structural changes in the seam. The weld metal and HAZ welded joints of S460M steel, made by pulsed arc welding, have shown adequately high resistance to brittle fracture, and at 20% greater strength. Thus, based on the obtained results, it is recommended to apply pulse-current gas metal welding of the thermo-mechanical cold processing steel instead of conventional welding.

External milli-beam particle induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) has been used as non-destructive technique to investigate ancient linen fabrics from pre-dynastic and Ptolemaic ages belonging to the archaeological collections of the Egyptian Museum of Turin and to the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna, Italy. 9 linen fabric samples dated from Old Kingdom to Ptolemaic ages (2200-300 B.C.) were investigated, as well as 5 modern linen fabric samples, added for comparison. The primary goal of this work has been to advance the correct material description of the fabrics providing scientific data for further and more comprehensive comparative analyses. PIXE has provided quantitative analyses for the major (Si, Cl, K, Ca and Fe) and minor or trace elements as P, Ti and Mn, supplying information on the near-surface elemental composition. The achieved results contribute to comprehend the structural basis for the chemical properties of the considered materials, as well as to set up a classification according to the chemical composition, allowing in general a better understanding of the studied linen cloths.

The Rogante Engineering Office (REO; http://www.roganteengineering.it) and the Budapest Neutron Centre (BNC; http://www.bnc.hu) have recently celebrated 20 years of cooperation (Figure 1). REO is m...

International audience; A successful attempt to incorporate the advantages of severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods in the continuous drawing process for low-carbon steel is demonstrated. The structural features are considered on different scale levels, using a wide range of methods. While combining shear deformation, which parallels the basis of SPD with the conventional scheme, the cyclic process of grain refinement could be reached. As a result, the plasticity becomes enhanced. At the same time, an important characteristic such as residual stress also has a positive influence on manufacturability; particularly, the existence of the compression stress after shear deformation. The peculiarity of the structure affects the behavior of both mechanical and physical properties (like density, plasticity). The application of drawing with shear (DSh) technology as based on SPD principles, the mechanical softening effect is observed, as is the healing of micro-voids. Such positive affection gives the opportunity to increase the effectiveness of drawing technology through controlling plasticity (ductility). Additionally, it is considered exhaustion of the plasticity resource (EPR). It is shown that in the case of multi pass deformation, there is a parabolic dependence of the EPR measurement, and minimum damage is achieved using a specific combination of partial reductions.

Welding of medium carbon alloy steels used in the manufacture of special-purpose machinery imposes to solve two mutually exclusive problems – to increase the depth of penetration of the base metal and to reduce the width of the thermal impact zone of the welded joints. To successfully solve this problem, it is necessary to use arc welding processes with a concentrated heat source. One of these processes is pulsed current gas metal arc welding (PC-GMAW). The present researches have allowed estab-lishing, that with PC-GMAW change of welding current is a difficult character, namely: on high-frequency impulse signal (60 kHz), impulses of the current of low frequency (from 90–150 Hz) are imposed. The change in the values of the mean welding current at PC-GMAW is achieved by increasing the pause current and the frequency of high-amplitude current pulses. It is shown that the PCGMAW allows reducing the amount of metal splashing, to increase the depth of penetration (almost 2 times) in comparison with stationary welding. At the same time, the cooling rate of HAZ metal in the temper-ature range 600–500°C decreases almost 1.5 times, which allowed to reduce the width of HAZ by 40%.

International audience; Shear deformation is one of the effective ways for grain boundary engineering. In the current contribution, the effect of the shear deformation incorporated into the conventional drawing process is shown. A specific feature of this experimental technology is a reduction of the structural anisotropy. This effect is related to the application of dies with shear that makes the metal flow to change its direction. In particular the grain refinement is stronger. The experimental drawing technology results in an extensive increase in the fraction of small grains (less than 3 µm in size) and a decrease in the fraction of large grains. A large amount of small grains with high-angle boundaries in this case is registered. The formation of this kind of grains is explained by progress in competing processes of large grain fragmentation and continuous dynamic recrystallization. The result is the change of the type of the grain boundaries from smooth to serrated ones and the formation of unclosed high-angle grain boundaries. Besides, it has been demonstrated that a certain part of small grains provides grain boundary sliding. The comparative analysis of the hardness tests has demonstrated increasing hardness with deformation accumulation, but after the classical drawing, the hardness grows linearly and stepwise after the experimental shear drawing. The physical reasons of such behaviour are explained by microstructural features which are discussed in current contribution.

Lo sviluppo intensivo della ricerca sui materiali verificatosi negli ultimi anni ha portato alla realizzazione di nuovi tipi di materiali e leghe, con procedure di produzione e formatura avanzate e sempre ottimizzate. Tale realtà ha progressivamente inserito nel campo delle progettazioni industriali informazioni innovativee vantaggiose per migliorare la scelta dei materiali più idonei, con le finalità di potenziare l’efficienza, migliorare la qualità, estendere la durata di parti e strutture e identificare nuovi campi d’applicazione nei più diversi settori. Il presente articolo riguarda vari tipi di materiali innovativi, alcune tra le possibili loro applicazioni e nuovetecnologie di produzione con principale riferimento ad acciai, ghise e altri materiali metallici, parti ott enute mediante produzione additiva, materiali polimerici, ceramici e compositi, vetri metallici nonché materiali “intelligenti”.

International audience; This study presents a striking advance in investigating the influence of heat treatment on the microstructure and properties of high strength low-alloyed steels obtained using various technologies. The application of the thermo-mechanical control process (TMCP), in contrast to the normalization treatment, offers higher strength characteristics but less stable properties during consequent high-temperature heat treatment. It has been established that the mechanical properties of both the steels are stable up to 650 C. With an increase in the treatment temperature, the mechanical properties of the TMCP steel (grade S460M) are strongly degraded, while the normalized steel (grade S355J2) remains stable up to 950 C. This is attributed to intensive grain growth at a temperature higher than A c3 for TMCP steel and to the microstructural stability of the normalized steel. It is shown that the structural stability during high-temperature heat treatment is controlled by a number of factors such as heating temperature and holding time, grain growth, accumulated strain, the presence of deformation texture, steel deoxidation, and dissolution/uncontrolled growth of precipitations.

Non-destructive prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA), neutron radiography (NR) and high resolution time-of-flight neutron diffraction (TOF-ND) have been applied to investigate metal archaeological artefacts belonging to the Academia Georgica Treiensis (AGT) collection. 8 archaeological items have been analysed, by using the facilities of the Budapest Neutron Centre (BNC). Some of these objects mostly dating back probably to the VI-IV century B.C. and presumed to be discovered in the Marche Region, Italy. The primary goal of the analyses was to advance the correct technological and material description of the objects, providing scientific data for further and more comprehensive comparative analyses also covering the find material from the close archaeological sites. The neutron investigations allowed determining the bulk composition, also providing either a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the phase composition and the structural properties of the constituents, or radiographic images, which would finally help to identify possible manufacturing techniques. Additional examinations, carried out by external milli-beam particle induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE), provided quantitative analyses of major and trace elements (e.g., Fe, Pb and As) in order to recognize the constitutive alloys and to supply information on the near-surface elemental composition, complementary to the data characteristic for the bulk. The obtained results, thought to be useful to set up a classification according to the chemical composition, and this way allow achieving important information related to the possible provenance of the objects.

17NiCrMo7, 19MnCr5 and 27MnCr5 low-alloy case-hardening steels samples have been investigated by SANS (Small-Angle Neutron Scattering), to achieve data on bulk nanoscale structure characterisation and complementary analytical and crystallographic information. The reported results are related in particular to the size distribution of nanosized pores which can help to comprehend the structural basis for the physico-chemical properties and thus to improve quality and durability of the considered materials. A complementary PIXE investigation has been also carried out, with the aim of a non-destructive assessment of the elemental composition of the considered samples.

An analysis of dense cements, such as polymer cement concrete, is made to produce original innovative components for different types of constructing materials. These materials present good functional properties (ageing resistance, crack formation resistance, hardness, and stability of mechanical modules) and can be used for various applications. In this paper, experimental tests on Portland cement with added γ-Al2O3 and redispersible dry polymer performed using small angle neutron scattering are reported. The objective of the investigation was to assess the key parameters of the material (e.g., porosity, fractal dimensions, and size distribution) at the nanoscale level as well as to obtain useful structural information for expanding the possibility of applications. The results obtained can contribute to the optimisation of the consistency of the material, the design of operating conditions of elements of structures and facilities, and the design of the procedures that support ecological criteria and enhance quality and safety levels.

QUEST’ARTICOLO DESCRIVE I MECCANISMI FONDAMENTALI DELL’USURA E DEI PROCESSI TRIBOLOGICI CHE SI VERIFICANO DURANTE LE OPERAZIONI DI TAGLIO EFFETTUATE NEI DIVERSI SETTORI INDUSTRIALI, INCLUSO QUELLO DEGLI ORGANI DI TRASMISSIONE, CON RIFERIMENTO AL SISTEMA TRIBOLOGICO COSTITUITO DALL’UTENSILE DA TAGLIO E DAL PEZZO IN LAVORAZIONE. L’INFLUENZA DELL’USURA SUPERFICIALE DELLA LAMA DELL’UTENSILE SUI COSTI DI PRODUZIONE E SULLA QUALITÀ DELLA SUPERFICIE DEL PRODOTTO FINALE PUÒ RISULTARE ASSAI RILEVANTE, PER CUI SI RENDE NECESSARIO RIDURRE IL PIÙ POSSIBILE L’INTENSITÀ D’USURA. DI CONSEGUENZA, È NECESSARIO COMPRENDERE I PROCESSI CHE AVVENGONO ALL’INTERNO DEL TRIBO- SISTEMA DELLA LAMA UTENSILE E DEL PEZZO, COME ANCHE GLI ALTRI FATTORI CHE INFLUISCONO SULLA VITA DELL’UTENSILE. L’ARTICOLO RIASSUME, INFINE, I PROVVEDIMENTI A LIVELLO TRIBOLOGICO ATTUALMENTE IMPIEGATI PER DIMINUIRE L’INTENSITÀ D’USURA.

The Rogante Engineering Office (REO) http://www.roganteengineering.it and the Neutron Physics Laboratory (NPL) http://canam.ujf.cas.cz/npl (Figure 1), a laboratory of the CANAM infrastructure of th...

Thermal neutrons are very useful probe in a nondestructive determination of internal stress/strains, due to their high penetration into most materials. In comparison with conventional X-ray techniques, real bulk information on both macro-and micro-strains in materials can be obtained by neutron diffraction (ND) techniques. Knowledge of the spatial and directional distribution of internal residual stresses (RS) is increasingly considered fundamental to determine their influence on properties of engineering materials and a consequent material behaviour. As the assesment of stresses is always related to the stress free material state, an accurate evaluation of the unstressed lattice parameters (e.g., the interplanar distance), in order to determine RS by ND is one of the key tasks. It helps to avoid inacceptable errors in the course of the real material strain and stress evaluation. The availability of carefully measured zero-strain standards is also essential to confirm the absence of systematic instrumental effects determining the diffraction profile at a chosen scattering angle. In this paper, the state of the art of the main analytical and experimental procedures currently established or adoptable to determine these critical parameters, particularly regarding industrial applications, is presented.

Study of dense cements, ceramics and related materials such as cement stones, is significant to create novel advanced components for various types of buildings and structures. These materials can possess high functional properties and they can be adopted for various purposes, for instance as corrosion resistive coatings for cement constructions. In this paper, the investigability of polymer cement concretes by neutron beam techniques (NBT) and, in particular, the nano-scale characterization by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) of polymer cement concrete (PCC) samples made of Portland or aluminous cement with added γAl2O3 and redispersible dry polymer, are discussed. The main aims are to assess key parameters (e.g., porosity, fractal dimensions, size distribution, presence of cracks or open and closed pores) responsible of the materials' performance at the scale from 1 A to 100 A, as well as to expand the possibility of applications. NBT, among the other non-destructive diagnostics, are particularly unique in the complete analysis of industrial materials when supplying essential information. The results obtained by means of a neutron-based investigation can translate into the optimization of consistency and the design of operating conditions and procedures that support and enhance quality and safety levels. Various examples concerning the examinations of different kinds of cements are reported. This state-of-the-art stage indeed confirms the industrial applicability of NBT in completing the characterization of the considered materials.

Industrial applications are the main field related to the determination of residual stresses. Especially in this case, dedicated procedures are necessary to improve the evaluation of macro- and microstresses by using neutron diffraction. Neutron beams, in fact, are a powerful tool able to penetrate in a non-destructive way metals and alloys, supplying information about the material?s bulk.

Udimet 520 and Udimet 720 samples submitted to different annealing temperatures and ageing times have been investigated by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), with the aim to study precipitates phases microstructural evolution and materials’ behaviour. These materials are γ′ (Ni3Al, Ti) precipitation hardened nickel-based superalloys possessing high strength, corrosion resistance and metallurgical stability. They are mainly adopted in high temperature environment, having found applications over a very wide range of temperature. Their importance has increased thanks to their good balance of mechanical properties and economic potential. Information on the thermal treatment effects has been obtained, in particular concerning precipitate size and volume fraction distributions. The results contribute to confirm SANS to a level of industrial applicability in the considered sectors.

This paper examines important technical issues pertaining to the methodological limitations of the welding techniques currently in use, with particular consideration given to welding mathematical modelling procedures. The recent progress achieved with high nano-technologies suggests the application of similar approaches to conventional mechanics and materials science, with particular reference to welding processes. Recent studies on welded joints have highlighted the benefits to be derived from ‘Industrial Applications of Neutron Techniques’ giving access to fundamental information – not obtainable using other methods – for improving quality and durability. ‘Small angle neutron scattering’ and ‘determination of residual stress by neutron diffraction’ make it possible to characterize materials at the atomic and nanoscale level, offering existing technologies the essential contribution of precise structural methods. This paper describes the fundamental theoretical aspects of both techniques, along with seve...

In this paper, neutron techniques – in particular, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron diffraction (ND) – are considered for the non-destructive characterization of Nitinol artery stents. This roughly equiatomic (50Ni–50Ti at%) shape memory alloy (SMA) exhibits significant properties of superelasticity and biocompatibility that make it suitable to be typically used as smart material for medical implants and devices. Nitinol self-expanding artery stents, as permanent vascular support structures, supply an ideal option to bypass surgery, but they are submitted for the whole of patient's life to the dynamical stress of the artery pulsation and the aggression from the biological environment. These stents, consequently, can suffer from wear and fracture occurrence likely due to a variety of cyclic fatigue, overload conditions and residual stresses. Neutrons have recently become a progressively more important probe for various materials and components and they allow achieving information complementary to those obtained from the traditional microstructural analyses. The outputs from the preliminary works already carried out in this field consent to consider neutron techniques capable to contribute to the development of these crucial medical implants. The achievable results can yield trends adoptable in monitoring of the stent features.

The residual stress (RS) status induced in the substrate of coated materials by the coating process plays frequently a major role in lending the component’s characteristics. RS assessment can give, thus, a substantial contribution in justifying different cases of failure or else bad performance of coated components due to e.g. the coating delamination or to other occurrences which are not simply interpretable via the conventional mechanical tests or microstructure analyses. The adoption of both neutron diffraction (ND) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques has revealed its usefulness in assessing the RS values in proximity of the coating interface area, respectively, without any layer removal or hole drilling at the extreme surface. In this paper, some real cases of RS determination in coated materials by using these techniques and exploiting their complementarity are described. ND, in particular, is very suitable for crucial applications, where a much different stress situation than that assessed by XRD could be present at some depth below the surface. The results achieved can yield trends adoptable in monitoring of the coating features.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the nano‐sized characteristics of SU‐8 polymer micro‐electromechanical systems airflow metrology turbines samples. These microturbines were made to be the first using axial airflow for low air pressure response. This polymer may be affected during curing by UV and heat baking, as well as confined heat from laser ablation. Defects in the resin matrix may influence the material quality and hence the final turbine performance.Design/methodology/approachSmall angle neutron scattering investigations were performed using the instrumentation of the Budapest Research Reactor.FindingsThe average sizes of the voids/cracks in the resin matrix of the turbines were determined and allowed the viability of making smaller even thinner rotor blades for higher spin and electrical output capability to be considered.Originality/valueThe obtained results have advanced the industrial applicability of the adopted technique in the considered sector of polymer analysis.

The residual stress (RS) induced in the substrate by thermal spray-coating plays a significant role in the behaviour of coated materials. The characterisation of High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) coatings through RS determination justifies various cases of failure or bad performance due to the delamination of coating which is not easily interpretable through more traditional microstructural analyses and mechanical tests. Two 13Cr4Ni inoxidizable martensitic steel samples, one having a thermal spray (WC–12% Co) HVOF coated surface, the other a shoot peened surface, were analyzed by neutron diffraction (ND) in order to determine the real RS depth-profile and investigate the effects of the thermal process on the considered materials. The stresses resulted in the range from − 80 to 50 MPa for the uncoated sample, while for the coated sample they increased gradually from a slight compressive status in correspondence of the uncoated surface, to greatest values of ~ 250 MPa in correspondence of the coating. A traditional X-ray investigation on the coated surface measured compressive RS values σ = − 550 ± 40 MPa, showing that ND investigation is very suitable for critical applications, where a much greater stress situation could be present at a diverse depth. The results achieved yielded trends that can be used in monitoring of the coating characteristics, in particular adhesion, thereby confirming the relevance of thermal stresses induced by HVOF coating processes.

This paper presents tool condition monitoring (TCM) of dry turning processes on automatic lathes, and describes the information generated by different measuring systems applied to the single point turning situation. The outputs measured were correlated with the state and wear rate of the cutting tools. Semi-finishing and rough-shaping tests have been carried out at different cutting speeds. Uncoated sintered carbide inserts have been used in both processes, while TiC–TiN coated inserts have only been used in the semi-finishing processes. The behaviours of the utilised power, the tool-holder shank vibrations and the surface roughness vs. pass number were studied. The main criteria used for the wear assessment, were the roughness checks on work pieces in the semi-finishing processes, the electrical input by the lathe motor together with the vibrations level in the rough-shaping processes. The life of the tool inserts was assessed for each test, and Taylor's equation was determined for the three types of inserts used. The parameters investigated show that the results are directly influenced by degree of the tool wear and also give indications when the tool insert has reached the end of its life. Coated inserts permit approximately 50% longer machining time, a higher wear mark width and a reduced applied power consumption, compared with uncoated inserts. The end of tool life in the semi-finishing processes, when compared to the rough-shaping processes, refers to the higher power range used in the latter. The established relationships can be used in the evaluation of a tool insert's life and subsequently give rise to clear indications of the opportunity for higher productivity.

This paper discusses the current problems of assessing the pipeline integrity from an identification of the causal factors associated to various pipeline failure mechanisms and damages, such as corrosion, SCC, buckling, soil movement, and fatigue. The paper explains, furthermore, how emerging applications of Neutron Diffraction and Small Angle Neutron Scattering techniques can be carried out to assess residual stress and microstructural characterization in pipelines. The benefits of the mentioned techniques are also discussed, in determining the pipeline real conditions and building forecast fracture models, providing end-users with essential support to effectively manage pipeline rehabilitation and maintenance plans.

Residual stresses (RS) in welded joints can contribute to the stress enhancement concentrated in the connection of different components, mainly concerning structures and piping. A fast method for assessing RS in a thin weld through the calculation of heat flow and thermal expansion data is explained ‐ obtained by implementing a previous programme in a personal computer (PC) code ‐ to evaluate the through‐wall temperature distribution and the RS field due to multi‐pass welding of flat or axi‐symmetric joints. The calculation of temperature distribution, axial and hoop thermal stresses through the finite thickness of a specimen is described, in particular, considering some basic simplifying assumptions. Validation of experimental is shown, related to thin welded joints, comparing finite elements method (FEM) analysis, direct measurements and the considered analytical method results.

This paper concerns the dismantling activities of Caorso NPP (BWR, Boiling Water Reactor, 870 MWe, built in the 70s and fully operating in the period 1981–1986). The said plant was shut down on 1987, following Italy's poll that abrogated nuclear power use based on U235 fission. The considered activities involved an experimental campaign using plasma torch and oxyacetylene arc metal cutting processes, and regarding no radioactive materials–pipes and plates exposed to the reactor coolant steam. The performed analyses of by use contaminated components below the free release level (1 × 104 Bq/m2), not yet considering radioactivity, allowed an accurate estimation of the chemical and physical characteristics of the produced aerosol. The adopted operative conditions concerning the cut procedures are firstly described. The emissions composition and technical parameters such as cutting time and cutting rate vs. pipe diameter or plate thickness are reported. The results highlight the kind of trouble that can emerge in the cutting processes, in particular focusing on a comparison of the effects of the two cutting processes and the chemical composition of dusts collected by filtering the gaseous emission. The achievable chances connected to the adopted filtration methods are then revealed, and the obtained parameters related with the production of volatile and solid residuals for cut are reported. Some suggestions follow, finally, for a safely NPP components disassembling.

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is considered as a nondestructive technique adoptable for the microstructural characterization of polymeric materials. The possibility to substitute hydrogen for deuterium makes SANS an exclusive technique for investigating macromolecular structures in synthetic and biological polymers. The same method allows a visualization of polymer chains, because of a local contrast between small size ordered domains and amorphous matrix around. In this article, some theoretical bases are reported, and industrial applications of SANS in the polymers field are shown. In particular, SANS investigations of either monoethylene glycol-based polyurethanes, or heat cured and laser machined organic resin microturbines as used for airflow sensing are described. Other examples are mentioned, moreover, showing the usefulness of SANS in characterizing polymers and confirming the improvement of this tool to a level of industrial applicability.

Six rather different bronze archaeological artefacts discovered over time in the Tifernum Mataurense area (S. Angelo in Vado, Marche Region, Italy) did not fit by visual inspection to the findings collected in nearby archaeological sites and they differ from each other, too. The primary goal of this work was to obtain data from the elemental composition of using a fast non-destructive quantitative analytical method. To do that the external milli-beam particle induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (external milli-beam PIXE) was chosen. Taking into account that not any invasive actions as burnishing, scratching or chemical treatment were allowed and the surface of the objects was rather corroded or patinated, the results obtained can be considered to be rather informative, only. Even these informative results, however, are useful to set up a classification of the objects according to the chemical composition and provide complementary near-surface composition information to the bulk data expected from cold neutron PGAA analyses to be performed.