Marker for PEG

Karin Abelskamp <k.abelskamp [at] archeologie__nl> writes

>Currently, ArchaeoSpecialists is carrying out experiments in
>impregnating wood with PEG. To determine the extent of impregnation,
>we would like to "mark" the PEG (4000) solution to make the PEG
>easily recognized within the object after treatment (after
>cross-section). I can imagine that this has been done before. Does
>anyone have experience with the use of markers for this purpose?
>What type did you use and why?

See

    Gregory S. Young and Ian N.M. Wainwright at the Canadian
    Conservation Institute.

    "Polyethylene Glycol Treatment for Waterlogged Wood at the Cell
    Level" Proceedings of the ICOM Waterlogged Wood Working Group
    Conference Ottawa 1981. Page 107-116

       "... for PEG determination in wood, cobalt thiocyanate is a
        microscopical stain when dissolved in non-aqueous
        histological grade cedarwood oil.  The oil (cedrene and
        cedrol) is immiscible with both water and PEG .  It
        dissolves the cobalt thiocyanate, but readily gives it up to
        the PEG in wood sections."

Hope that helps,

Ellen Carrlee
Conservator
Alaska State Museum
395 Whittier Street
Juneau, AK 99801
907-465-2396


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:41
                 Distributed: Sunday, February 25, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-41-006
                                  ***