New Materials to Support the Preservation of Old Wood Used for Art Objects

Abstract

This paper presents new materials that replaced the main list of substances with a high toxicity level (banned in the European Community), and the interventions in the preservation of old wood used for art objects. Although in the process of stopping the four evolutionary effects of deterioration and degradation of the wood, highly effective methods of preservation were developed, it was found that the toxic atmosphere maintains a high risk for curators. These methods involved the use of derivatives of naphthalene and polymers containing chlorine, bromine-based derivatives, namely a series of highly dangerous pesticides. In this context, most research centers in wood preservation have studied new systems supposing minimal toxicity, compatible with different types of timber, in a series of natural or synthetic substances, such as: Pyrethroids, boron compounds, tannins, woodsulfonates, silicates and phosphates.