Comparative Studies of the Rate of Saturation of Archaeological Wood with Consolidants PEG 1500 and Trehalose

Abstract

On the example of preservation of wood samples with disaccharide Trehalose and PEG-1500 polyethylene glycol, a method of control over the process of saturation of archaeological wood with consolidant solutions in impregnating baths is presented. This article considers the exchange processes occurring in impregnating baths, methodical approach to the injection of the optimal amount of consolidant into wood and the choice of the time of keeping the objects in impregnating baths. The method of control over the process of conservation of archaeological wood is described. The results of estimation of saturation rates of archaeological wood in Trehalose and PEG-1500 solutions are presented. According to the results of the work carried out, it was noted that the control method of saturation of wood objects in impregnating baths with high reliability allows to assess the polymer content in wood at all stages of the conservation process and to complete impregnation in time at the optimal injection of a preservative.

Keywords

• archaeological wood
• consolidant solutions
• control method
• conservation
• peg-1500
• trehalose