Archaeological iron

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Paula Correia <paula.correia.c [at] gmail__com> writes

>I would like advice on the stabilisation of archaeological iron
>(besides using tannic acid).

Packaging in dry, oxygen-free environments is often used to store
archeological iron:

In the simplest method, an object (or group of objects) is placed in
a bag made of barrier film. The impermeable barrier film may be
transparent (eg Escal), or an opaque aluminum foil based film. An
oxygen absorber (eg Ageless or RP-K type), or a combination oxygen
absorber and desiccant (eg RP- A type) is inserted into the bag, and
the bag is heat-sealed closed. In a matter of hours, the interior of
the bag will become essentially free of oxygen and moisture.

A good barrier film and a properly calculated charge of
oxygen-scavenger should provide years of protection. Other methods
of using anoxic storage are described in the general literature, and
in articles on my website at <URL:http://www.keepsafe.ca>

Jerry Shiner
Keepsafe Microclimate Systems
416-703 4696
800-683 4696


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 23:5
                  Distributed: Thursday, June 11, 2009
                        Message Id: cdl-23-5-003
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