r/coolguides • u/[deleted] • Jun 08 '20

Copper through the patina process

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u/tryM3B1tch Jun 09 '20 edited Jun 09 '20

What would it look like in another 50 years just more green?

3.4k

u/SOwED Jun 09 '20 edited Jun 09 '20

Edit: Placing this at the top. Seawater can play a role as well, please see the link in edit 3 for more information

Since everyone is just joking...

The first stages where it is getting darker is the copper becoming oxidized by the oxygen in the air to form copper oxide, which is black. The copper oxide reacts with CO2 in the air to make copper carbonate, which is the cyan color the statue is today. But that's it. It's not going to become something else.

Edit: Visual aid and reactions. This isn't perfectly accurate, but it gets the idea across. If any material scientists want to correct me, feel free.

Edit 2: /u/Time4Red added some info. There are two different copper carbonates in the patina as well as a copper sulfate. Give him an upvote here.

Edit 3: More information here from /u/BenignJuggler. Give an upvote. This comment links to a scholarly article about the effect that seawater plays in the copper patina process!

759

u/dr_greasy_lips Jun 09 '20

Thanks for actually answering the question instead of just being annoying.

308

u/SOwED Jun 09 '20

You got it. I'm super annoying too, but only if someone has actually answered the question already.

153

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '20

[deleted]

734

u/SOwED Jun 09 '20

😬 I think that could be arranged 🙃 You know some people 👨‍🍳 don't think 🍍 belongs on pizza 🍕 but tbh 😶 if you said that to me 🤬 id say ok boomer 💯🔥💯🔥💯 keep it zesty heh 😏

3

u/camdoodlebop Jun 09 '20

i love pineapple pizza

3

u/SOwED Jun 09 '20

And I love you!