An improved Oddy test using metal films

The Oddy test is an 'accelerated' corrosion test employed by museums to evaluate the suitability of materials proposed for use in display and storage cases. The standard Oddy test requires a 28-day test period, and the results are assessed by visual observation. This paper describes an improved test method, which could reduce the length of the test period by half. The improved method uses metal films as substitutes for the traditional metal coupons posing as 'surrogate art object'. The new test results are then evaluated by computer with digital image processing for more objective selection of less corrosive materials.