Effects of Solvents Used for Conservation/Restoration Treatments on Damaged Linden Panels of Cultural Heritage Assets

Abstract

Heritage objects with wooden supports can degrade in inappropriate storage conditions or when microclimate factors contribute to the development of biological attacks. Another issue regarding the deterioration of artifacts is the lack of a full understanding of material properties and their behavior during restoration treatments. In this paper, we note the strengthening treatments of artifacts with severely damaged wood and the various treatments against bio-pests. The influence of solvent on dimensional changes was observed for water, acetone, and white spirit. Acetone was found to cause the greatest swelling and deformation of the treated panels. The present work highlights the importance of choosing not only the correct types of solvents for the solubilization of synthetic resins, as well as those used in conservation-restoration treatments, but also the effects they have on polychrome wood panels that have been degraded by xylophagous insects.