Evaluation of protective properties of acrylate varnishes used for conservation of historical metal artefacts

Abstract

Acrylate varnishes are due to their suitable properties frequently used in restoration and preservation on variety of historical objects and materials. Common practice of their application involves using as an adhesive agents, consolidants and protective coatings. The purpose of protective coatings especially on metal artefacts is to reduce access of pollutants to the surface of the artefact. In this paper, coatings prepared from two acrylate polymers Paraloid B72 and Paraloid B48N are compared in terms of permeability for water and level of protective properties against air pollutants. For this purpose, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and resistometric method were chosen for analysis of the coatings. Obtained results show lower permeability for water in case of Paraloid B72. However, same coating provided lower protection against air pollutants than Paraloid B48N coating.