Durability of Metals from Archaeological Objects, Metal Meteorites, and Native Metals
By A. B. Johnson, Jr. and B. Francis
Metal durability is an important consideration in the multi-barrier nuclear waste storage concept. Several metals have shown impressive durability over centuries and millenia in several environments. This study summarizes the ancient metals, the environments, and factors which appear to have contributed to metal longevity. The ancient metals include archaeological objects, metal meteorites, and native metals.