Course Outline

Goal

This seminar will provide new models and explanations for the ways in which consolidants penetrate materials such as powdery paint, cracked paintings, paper, leather, stone, ceramics, etc., and why things go wrong, especially darkening and poor penetration.

Description

The mechanism of consolidant penetration will be described in detail. Capillarity will be modelled in a more subtle manner than a simple wet/dry front. The concept of a wide transition region will be used to explain many practical observations and problems, such as reverse migration of the consolidant, and the advantages of slow treatments with vapours. Chromatographic separation will be explained, and the role of solvent volatility and resin molecular weight clarified. Finally, the relationship among consolidant concentration, strength improvement, and artifact discoloration will be seen as a complex balance of benefits versus side effects, with different materials giving rise to very different points of balance.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• understand the major micro-physical phenomena that determine success or failure in consolidation processes
• predict and control some of these phenomena before treatment
• understand their past experiences with consolidation treatments

Target Audience

Practicing conservators who want to learn a new, comprehensive explanation for consolidation as a physical process