Niiro chakushoku and irogane alloys- further studies of the traditional Japanese metal patination technique

The applicant holds an AHRC Fellowship in the Creative and Performing Arts. The research program is entitled 'The production and application of Japanese alloys and patination' and will run from May 2007- April 2010.
In this application we seek funding to complete research in four areas of the overall fellowship program. This research was outlined in the original fellowship application and is central to the overall research program. Funding from the AHRC will ensure that the research is carried out to the highest quality.
The Western tradition of metal patination and colouring is based on the use of a small range of metals and alloys which are coloured by the application of a wide range of patination solutions. In contrast to this, Japanese metalworkers developed a wide range of irogane alloys which are coloured with a single patination solution (the niiro chakushoku eki or boiling colour patination solution). This approach allows different alloys to be combined in one piece and patinated, producing a multi-coloured piece of metalwork.

This study will examine in detail:
1. Pre-patination treatment of alloys with daikon radish.
2. Composition of solution ingredients and their effect on patination colour.
3. The use of protective coatings on niiro patinated surfaces.
4. Trial of the materials and techniques with non-expert metalworkers

Work in the previous part of this project has demonstrated that the use of daikon improves the patination of silver alloys. In order to produce a consistent process it is necessary to determine exactly what the radish treatment is achieving.

The research will ask:
What are the active compounds in the daikon radish?
Can we achieve a similar effect with laboratory chemicals?

The patination process is not yet optimised, especially with respect to some of the vital secondary ingredients.

The research will ask:
What is the effect of secondary ingredients on patination colour?

It is not known how effective are coatings used for the preservation of colour and for protection from handling and corrosion, which is of particular importance for commercial applications.

The research will examine the change in colour over time and the use of protective coatings:
Do patinated colours change with time?
Do waxes and lacquers work and if so what are they preventing?
Are there new technologies which provide acceptable alternatives?

The applicant works with these materials and processes in his own studio work and evaluates their potential through his practice. It is important to also carry out a trial with a group of non-expert metalworkers to further evaluate practical application of the materials and processes.

The research will ask:
Can these materials and processes be used by a group of non-experts?

A limited number of researchers have published work on pre-patination surface treatments and the composition of the niiro solution. However, a full understanding of the process has still to be achieved. This study will be the first to focus on coatings for irogane alloys.

The research will be located at Sheffield Hallam University using the facilities and expertise of the Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC), the Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) and the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI).
Papers will be submitted to an academic journal and an international conference. The research will also be disseminated through lectures and workshops. The University website will be utilized for the publication of papers, exhibited works etc. Commercial collaborators will be sought through SHU to exploit any materials or processes that are developed.
This project is a fundamental part of the larger research programme as surface cleaning, control of the niiro solution, and protection of the patinated surfaces are all crucial to the successful control and application of the materials and processes in studio work or in industrial applications.

The research program will allow us to significantly advance knowledge of technical issues relating to niiro patination and irogane alloys. By developing a reliable and repeatable process, we can provide solutions to the problems faced by designers and makers working with these materials. The research is also important for those working with the preservation and restoration of historical metalwork as it provides insights into how this work was originally produced, and how to repair and preserve it.

We will be publicizing our research findings to jewellers and silversmiths through lectures and workshops at Higher Education Institutes in the UK, Ireland, and Japan. The studio work will also be publicized through public exhibitions.

Our recent presentation at the Santa Fe Symposium to an audience of leading E.U. and North American manufacturers was received with great interest. As a result of this we have started discussions with an alloy producer about possible commercialisation. This dialogue with manufacturers will continue during the research project. As part of our dissemination strategy, we will present the findings of this research at an international conference in this field.

This project is an innovative practice based multi-disciplinary study involving both applied artists, material scientists and bio-scientists. We plan to reflect on this aspect of the project and produce a paper for a journal discussing our experience of this process.

The work is also of interest to curators working with historical metalwork in the area of preservation and restoration of historical work made using these techniques. We have recently begun working with the V&A museum to analyse work in their collection. This is a relationship we hope to develop further.

There are also a number of other areas where there will be possible impact beyond the main focus of the project. Researchers examining corrosion inhibition in precious metal and other systems will benefit from the findings. Producers and researchers who work in the areas of transparent protective coatings will benefit from the research information. There are also possible cross-links with those studying the health benefits of radish (e.g. iso-thiocyanates). We will consider dissemination of findings to their specialist audiences through our MERI and BMRC colleagues.

The research has the potential to develop new products for UK business to market internationally, for example a range of metal alloys, cleaning solutions, patination solutions and educational materials for jewellery producers or as finished pieces of metalwork or jewellery.
Formal partnership, collaborative or exploitation agreements will be put in place with external partners as the need arises. Outputs with potential impact will be identified through discussion between the researchers in ADRC, MERI and BMRC. Full use will be made of electronic media through the University website for the publication of papers etc. We will seek a permanent repository through SHU/other agencies to ensure the preservation of the research output (samples, papers etc.) We will seek commercial collaborators to exploit materials or processes that are developed. SHU has extensive experience in the exploitation of intellectual property rights, particularly in metalwork and has a dedicated team to support this activity.
The main responsibility for dissemination is with the PI, however he will be supported by Dr Hywel Jones and Dr Jamie Young in the production of research papers. This will build on established relationships in SHU. The cross disciplinary nature of this collaboration is crucial to the success of the overall project. Dr. Jones has a clear functional role in the project but, as an experienced academic, he will act as both advisor and collaborator. Dr. Jamie Young and Dr. Jillian Newton will provide expertise in bioan