XRF analyses

The series of investigations planned through our project continues with a number of non-invasive XRF (X-ray fluorescence) tests performed with a portable EDXRF spectometer Elva X Prospector3 MAX with energy dispersive SDD detector in collaboration with SC UNION SRL Cluj-Napoca. The tests have led to the identification of the metal alloys used for several components of the 18th-century apothecary chest in the History of Pharmacy Collection. We have thus discovered that the key and rivets of the chest were made of an alloy rich in iron, the other metal components are made of copper and tin, while the screw caps of the glass containers are made of lead (toxic, but soft and easy to process). We are happy with the results and have started processing them for a specialized study targeting this valuable apothecary chest.