1. Study methods and mechanisms

1.1 Study methods

Patina characterization is covered by surface analysis methods [26] , but in addition to the classic criteria of scale and type of information sought (elemental and structural composition, microstructure, physical and chemical properties), two additional criteria must be taken into account: appearance (colorimetric and spectroscopic properties) and the destructive or non-destructive nature of the measurements made.

Like any characterization, it can only be carried out by combining several methods adapted to the scale of the problem and the issues at hand [3] .

Since the appearance of a...