Materials Science Lab
Labs & Competences
9. Materials science Lab (SEM-EDS, pXRF Metallography, (Mathias Mehofer, Nicole Mittermair)
In the Materials Science laboratory of VIAS (University Vienna) materials scientific studies on prehistoric and historic metallurgy are conducted. In an interdisciplinary approach, various methods such as metallography, surface analyses, SEM-EDS, 3D X-ray tomography, DTA-TG(DTG), geochemistry and isotope research are combined to access cultural-historical questions. The laboratory is well equipped for the analysis of metals and other remains from the metal production processes. Additionally, the laboratory holds an extensive reference collection of materials connected to ancient metallurgy (900 samples from metal artifacts, metallurgical by-products such as slags and ores, as well as technical ceramics, including crucibles, tuyères, and furnace linings).
persons: Mathias Mehofer, Nicole Mittermaier, Max Fröhling
Laboratory
Materials Science – Archaeometallurgy lab
Analytical devices:
- SEM-EDS: Zeiss EVO 60 XVP, environmental SEM with low preasure mode (specimen chamber diameter 400 mm, height 240 mm); analytical unit: detector: Ultim MAX 170, AZtec, Oxford instruments, Sputter unit (carbon)
- pXRF: Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer, Bruker Tracer 5g
- Optical microscope: Olympus BX 51, reflected light microscope, Olympus software
- Sample preparation: Struers Tegramin 30: automatic grinding – polishing machine
Imptech 10 DVT Grinder Polisher: automatic grinding – polishing machine - Hardness testing: Vickers micro hardness testing device
- Mounting equipment for resin block samples
- Experimental Archaeometallurgy equipment (pyrometer, sensors)
- Certified reference materials
- KeyenceVHX-6000: 20x bis 2000x