We sort out the results of various activities including an academic survey of cultural heritages and the preservation treatment of unearthed relics, carry out in-depth analysis/research by subject, and share the results with other researchers.
Preservation treatment process for metal relics
| Preliminary survey |
- Collection of relics and checking of the embedded environment.
- - Checking the embedded environment to determine what caused the relics to decay.
- Status check.
- - X-ray photography to check the status of the inside of the relics.
- Recording of the pre-treatment status.
- - Comprehensive checking of the status of the relics based on the photos of the scene of their collection, pre-treatment photographs, X-ray photos, weight and other measurements.
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Cleaning
(Removal of foreign materials) |
- Setting the criteria for cleaning in such a way that the original status of the relics is preserved.
- Physical method.
- - Removal of foreign materials, including dirt and corrosive products, using an air abrasive tool, small tools (e.g. knife, small hammer, nipper), a vibration tool or small dental tools.
- Chemical method
- - Removal of corrosive products generated on the surface of relics, using formic acid and a highly absorbent resin.
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| Stabilizing treatment |
- Stabilizing treatment of metal relics
- - Desalination treatment.
- - Removal of corrosive elements from relics. (Effects of negative ions in embedded environment)
- - Dealkali treatment.
- - Removal of strong alkali chemicals from relics.
- Stabilizing treatment of bronze/gold-plated relics.
- - Anti-rust treatment.
- - Vacuum immersion. (Or natural immersion for one week) after placing relics in a solution of benzotriazole (BTA) mixed with acetone. (3~5% concentration)
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| Reinforcing treatment |
- Reinforcing treatment of metal relics.
- - Paraloid NAD-10 + NAPTA.
- - V-flon + YKD80.
- Reinforcing treatment of bonze/gold-plated relics.
- - Mixing Paraloid B-72 with acetone or toluene at the desired / suitable level of concentration for the relics
- ※ Incralac is chiefly used when using both the stabilizing treatment and the reinforcing treatment simultaneously.
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| Adhesion / restoration |
- Adhesion of broken pieces or restoration of the shape
- instant adhesive (Loctite401, Alteco), Cemedine-C.
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| Color matching |
- Color matching to ensure good outward appearance of adhered / restored parts.
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| Recording the status after treatment |
- The entire process of preservation treatment should be recorded accurately.
- - Treatment period / method; chemicals used ; what to analyze.
- - Comparison between before / after treatment.
- - Photographing after treatment.
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| Storage |
- Fixing relics and placing them in a tightly closed container.
- - Packed in oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, with silica gel enclosed after fixing relics to the appropriate frame.
- Storage in a heat/moisture-resistant facility.
- - Maintaining a given level of temperature. (20±2℃) and humidity. (35~45%)
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Cleaning (Removal of foreign materials)
Anti-rust / Reinforcing treatment
Preservation treatment process for wooden relics
| Preliminary survey |
- Collection of relics and checking of the embedded environment.
- - Checking to determine how the relics can be preserved and maintained in their original form before unearthing. (e.g. water immersion or existence of underwater sedimentary layer, etc.)
- Status check
- - Infrared photographyshould be used to check whether there are writings in Indian ink.
- Recording of pre-treatment status.
- - The status of the relics should be checked from diverse perspectives based on a photographic image of the scene of their collection, and photographic images of their pre-treatment status, wood species, weight, size, etc.
- - Checking of wood species.
- Three sections of wood should be observed to check wood species and decide which preservation treatment method should be used.
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| Cleaning (removal of foreign materials) |
- Physical method.
- - Foreign materials should be removed, using small tools like a brush, while maintaining sufficient moisture.
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| Stabilizing treatment |
- Deoxidation treatment.
- - Immersion in a solution of EDTA 2Na 2%.
- Anti-decay treatment
- - Relics to be immersed in a solution of boric acid and borax mixed at a ratio of 7:3 to prevent damage caused by microbes.
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| Reinforcing treatment |
- Reinforcing treatment to enhance mechanical intensity of weakened water-immersed wooden relics.
- - PEG 2-step method.
- - T-Butanol, PEG-vacuum freeze-drying method.
- - PEG-vacuum freeze-drying method.
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| Adhesion / restoration |
- Sealing of cracks or pieces made in the course of treatment.
- - Araldite HV427, SV427 / Araldite rapid type / Loctite 401 / Alteco.
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| Color matching |
- The entire process of preservation treatment to be recorded accurately.
- - Treatment period/method; chemicals used; what to analyze.
- - Comparison between before/after treatment.
- - Photographing after treatment.
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| Recording post-tre-atment status |
- The entire process of preservation treatment to be recorded accurately.
- - Treatment period/method; chemicals used; what to analyze.
- - Comparison between before/after treatment.
- - Photographing after treatment.
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| Storage |
- Fixing relics and placing them in a tightly closed container.
- - Packed in oriented polypropylene (OPP) film, with silica gel enclosed after fixing relics to the appropriate frame.
- Storage in a heat/moisture-resistant facility.
- - Maintaining a given level of temperature (20±2℃) and humidity (50~70%).
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| Main treatment |
- Removal of foreign materials.
- - Metathesis treatment, using alcohol → Drying → Hardening treatment, using paraloid B72 → Adhesion and restorations.
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Cleaning
(Removal of foreign materials)
Anti-decay / dehydra-tion treatment
Measurement stabilizing treatment
