The artwork “Smoke Rings: Two Concentric Tunnels, Non-Communicating” by Bruce Nauman represents a case study of corrosion of a black patina-coated Al-alloy contemporary artwork. The main concern over this artwork was the widespread presence of white spots on its surface. Alloy substrate, patina, and white spots were characterized by means of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Alloy substrate was identified as an aluminum alloy 6,000 series Al–Si–Mg. Patina’s identified composition confirmed the documentation provided by the atelier. Concerning the white spots, zircon particles were found on patina surface as external elements.

The increasing use of microanalysis techniques to analyze particles has demanded more rapid phase identification methods for samples in the 10 μm size range. The XRD analysis of such particles is routinely accomplished using a Rigaku combination instrument combined with particle handling methods. Several case studies show the variety of material analysis problems that can be solved with this technique including identification of multiple mineral phases, corrosion components, and paint samples.