Conservation Science combines a variety of scientific disciplines in the study of cultural material. Investigations may be more technical in nature but in general focus on the meeting of a preservation or conservation goal. The field presents many unique challenges:

• Aged ancient, historic and cultural materials must be characterized chemically and physically
• Long term stability (in excess of 50 years) of treatment materials must be evaluated
• Effects of the application of these modern materials to aged cultural materials must be evaluated.
• Each study or analysis is highly individualized as combinations of materials are often unique to a specific artist, time period or particular state of conservation

A unique aspect of conservation is the study of materials ageing, both of the original art and of the applied restoration/conservation materials. In resolving questions, Conservation Scientists may apply the pure sciences such as Chemistry and Biology, Applied Sciences such as Corrosion Engineering, and Environmental Science as well as several technological areas such as radiography. Conservation Scientists work with Conservators to reveal valuable technical information from artifacts which will help not only in their treatment but in the understanding the techniques of manufacture. 

Geology
Geology and Minerology play vital roles in understanding cultural material from microscopic to monumental scales. Conservators and Scientists study pigments in efforts to identify minerals from a range of historical time periods. On a much larger scale, Geologists and Conservators may work to understand the weathering and deterioration processes of stone and mud earth materials which are subject to changes from outdoor weathering.

  Chemistry
Not only are the chemical compositions of artifacts and conservation materials important to understand, but also their interactions with one another and mechanisms of degradation. Modern and traditional polymers may be applied as adhesives, consolidants and coatings with the goal of ensuring long term preservation with minimal change or intervention to the object. Chemical anaylytical techniques are also used to identify organic dyes, pigment binders and other unknown components. Analytical methods may include simpler spot testing methods to a range of more sophisticated analytical methods including but not limited to infrared spectoscopy, x-ray diffraction, chromatography, and electron microprobe analysis.

Biology
Cultural and scientific material, organic and inorganic, is subject to a range of biological processes ranging from bacterial and mold attack up to full scale plant or insect colonization. Natural history museums, for example, endevour to preserve a range of biological collections over extended time periods. Wooden components in buildings and furniture are subject to insect attack and methods such as inert gas fumigation have been perfected so as to have minimal if no effects on organic materials. Inorganic materials such as those found in outdoor monuments are also subject to colonization by lichen and fungi which in instances can be very damaging.
 

Mmmm ....ethnographic collections

  Engineering
Art objects, especially large scale sculpture and architecture, are subject to a range of stresses which are better understood through modeling techniques. Computer modeling helps conservators better evaluate the strength of objects which must then be evaluated in terms of the degree of degradation of the associated  materials. A further engineering application may be found in vibration analyses which have helped in the development and application of packing methods for art in transit.
 

Environmental Science
 One of the most critical areas of conservation is environmental  monitoring and control which ultimately helps ensure the long term stabilty of museum collections.  Environmental monitoring  includes not only temperature and relative humidity , but the monitoring of particulates and gases such as formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide  and ozone which may pose potential threats to museum collection. Environmental studies ultimately help ensure the maintenance of clean and stable environments.

Materials Science
Conservation treatments involve the practical application of a range of materials, and in this way resemble and derive from the field of Materials Science. Adhesive strengths must be evaluated as must the longetivity of coatings. Frequently modified methods such as those devleoped by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) are employed to evaluate a material in a specific application. Conservators and Scientists also work to understand the effects of solvents on different resin properties such as surface gloss or strength. Scientists may also employ metallographic methods to interpret, for example, the work history of an ancient metal.

Non Destructive Testing
William Conklin
Non destructive testing methods are frequently employed to develop a better understanding of the physical structure of materials. A range of methods may be employed such as radiography, infrared and ultraviolet photography and occasionally ultrasound testing. Radiographic testing of bronzes for example may show technical features related to the casting process such as joins, welds, and repairs in addition to more modern restorations. These tests can ultimately lead to a better understanding of an individual work of art or the work of a particular workshop.

  Microscopy
One of the most useful tools to conservation is the microscope and a range of methods have found application including polarized light, ultraviolet fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Stained cross sections may be studied for layering of different  binding media and pigments in a painting. Microscopy is also employed in textile fiber identification as well as in the identification of bone, ivory, and other materials. This information may help in the interpretation of the history of a piece and point the way for a successful conservation treatment.

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