Shrapnel shell

In Instance 28:10, Aleksi Pienimaki asks for advice on how to
stabilise a shrapnel shell consisting of a steel case with a copper
band and filled with lead balls.

With a composite object like this, I would recommend that you do not
try to separate the parts or to stabilise it chemically.  Instead I
would recommend mechanical cleaning to remove iron corrosion
products and to reveal the original shape of the shell, and then to
store it in a sealed container with silica gel (RH < 15%).  This is
likely to be more satisfactory in the long term.

Barry Knight                                             `
St Albans
England


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 28:13
                  Distributed: Friday, August 29, 2014
                       Message Id: cdl-28-13-005
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