Radiation Technology for Cultural Heritage Restoration
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| ISSN: | ISSN 0034-5806 |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/res_3_04_159_170.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARY. The paper introduces basic, physical and biological principles of industrial applications based on ionisation technology for the restoration of cultural heritage. Technical procedures and a list of the main European gamma radiation plants are summarized. Several experimental works specifically carried out on cellulose and printing paper are highlighted, demonstrating the possibility of applying radiation technology for disinfecting or treating infestations of books and documents from micro-organisms and pests, as an alternative method to chemical treatments. CONCLUSION. The ability of gamma rays to kill living organisms as well as to leave no harmful residues in the treated material, and, if a suitable dose is applied, provoking no noticeably altering of the substratum in chemical-physical terms, makes this technology a possible tool for the disinfection or disinfestation of cultural heritage items or materials, such as, in particular, books and documents. The detection of a very partial de-polymerization in the macromolecular cellulose structure has, at the dose of gamma-rays suitable to inhibit entomological and microbiological growth (<10 kGy), no significant effects on the mechanical-physical properties of either cellulose, print paper and inks. A slight de-polymerization of cellulose caused by a low dose of radiation (3 kGy) could be considered as being acceptable in disinfecting or treating an infestation of a biodeteriorated paper material, taking into account that treated material, if left to itself, would be destroyed. In conclusion, ionizing radiation treatment aimed at some cultural heritage restoration showed good results, but the extension of the process to other similar materials with an high cultural or artistic value is to be evaluated only after careful experimentation and scientific investigation into the effects of radiation on any single component of the item. |
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| ISSN: | ISSN 0034-5806 |
