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Glossaries & Definitions

Corrosion.  Is a term that describes metal in various stages of deterioration when it reacts chemically with the environment; especially oxygen, moisture and pollutants. 

With ferrous metals, this is usually called rust.  With non-ferrous metals it starts as tarnish, which is a dark oxide
layer that builds up on the surface.  This oxide layer tends to protect the metal, but if there are flaws in it, or if harmful
chemicals are present, the metal can disintegrate, or corrode (causing the typical green color on bronze plaque & memorials).  Preservation prevents this from happening.  Restoration helps to correct it.

Click here for an in depth description of the topic on the Wind & Sun web site.

Preservation vs. Restoration.  Some have asked about the difference between preservation and restoration.  These
terms are used in various ways, but for our purposes "preservation" means keeping an object in as good a condition,
given its age, as possible and "restoration" means bringing an object back to as new a condition as possible. 

When it comes to bronze plaques and memorials, preservation involves keeping them clean and coated with a
preservative (wax) and restoration involves more vigorous cleaning, abrasively highlighting the letters, numbers and
decorative details, darkening the background and coating with a clear lacquer.
 

Below are links to various metalworking related glossaries:

International glossary of blacksmithing and metalsmithing terms, as used in metalworking

Glossary of blacksmithing & metalworking terms from anvilfire.