This paper presents the way we used non-destructive methods-optical microscopy (OM),
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), xray
diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform Raman (FT-Raman) microscopy. The Raman
spectra of copper were reported using an Nd-YAG laser operating at an excitation wavelength
of 1064, 785and532 nm. These analyses were used to understand the corrosive
morphological characteristics of the patina, to investigate the corrosion products, analyze the
elementary composition of the copper object and to identify the corrosive factors with effects
on the alteration processes. This object exhibited at the museum of the faculty of applied arts,
Helwan university-Egypt. The results indicated that the object was made of brass alloy, with
copper as the main element, beside zinc. Three layers of alteration products with various
composition and morphology covered the substrate of the brass alloy. SEM-EDX, XRD
analyses and Raman spectroscopy (RS) revealed the elements Cl, S, O, C, from primary and
secondary chemical compounds and from soil micro-structure. This study provides useful
information for the conservation of copper object.