Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

562 Conservation of Furniture
Answer: mix 6 parts of the original 14% solution
with 8 parts of the diluent liquid to make a new
solution with a 6% concentration (D).
(2) How much of a 35% solution has to be
added to an 8% solution to obtain a 15% solution?
A (concentration of original solution) = 35
B (new desired concentration) = 15
C (diluent liquid) = 8
x (part of original solution needed for new
concentration) = 15 – 8 = 7
y (part of diluent needed for new concentration)
= 35 – 15 = 20
Answer: mix seven parts of the 35% solution
with twenty parts of the 8% diluent solution to
make a new solution with a 15% concentration
(D).
Measuring small quantities without a
balance
Some liquids are used in very small quantities,
which may cause problems if an accurate balance
is not available. The detergent Triton XL-
80N, and the hindered amine light stabilizer
Tinuvin 292, are examples of materials that are
added to solutions in very small proportions.
Density and specific gravity are defined above.
Knowing the density or specific gravity of a
material can allow the conservator to make a
more accurate measurement using comparatively
inaccurate tools. For example, Triton XL-
80N and Tinuvin 292 are so close to water in
specific gravity that 1 ml of each is approximately
equivalent to one ml (pipette) or one cc
(syringe) (Table 12.1). A graduated pipette or
syringe may be used to establish the number of
drops per millilitre or cubic centimetre. A
pipette, for example, may dispense 30 drops of
the liquid per millilitre, thus 3 drops is approximately
equal to 0.1 ml or 0.1 gram of liquid.
Table 12.1 Specific gravity of some materials
added to solutions in small quantities
Substance Specific gravity
Water 1
Triton X-100 1.07
Triton XL-80N 0.98
Tinuvin 292 0.9925
12.2 Consolidation
12.2.1 Introduction to consolidation
treatment
In the context of conservation, consolidation
has been defined as remedial treatment of
materials that have lost cohesion as a result of
deterioration. The objective is to stabilize an
object and make it fit for its intended use
(Wermuth, 1990). Consolidation treatment is
most often necessary as a result of the breakdown
of the material as it ages, the environmental
conditions in which an object has been
displayed or stored, or a combination of the
two. The consolidation treatment will depend
on the specific objectives for a given object.
These may range from re-establishing full functionality
(e.g. wooden structural components),
stabilizing a material or layer throughout its
thickness (e.g. worm damaged wood or a powdery
gesso ground), or consolidating a surface
to prevent loss of material (e.g. surface fragments
of worm damaged wood, flakes of
detached painted or decorated surface)
(Schniewind, 1998).
Consolidation is often time consuming and
consideration should be given to improving
storage or display conditions so that the necessity
for future treatment is minimized. Consolidation
is the subject of regular discussion in
conservation literature and it is essential to
keep abreast of current developments. Broadly
speaking, such discussion can be divided into
the two strands of material evaluation and case
histories that consider innovations in technique.
The general principles of adhesive bonding
have been set out by Cagle (1973). The volume
by Brommelle et al. (1984) includes articles on
both principles of adhesion and consolidation
treatments applied in a range of conservation
disciplines. The ethical ideal of retreatability
has largely superseded reversibility as an ideal
requirement for conservation treatments
(Appelbaum, 1987; Oddy and Carroll, 1999).
Structural components of furniture must be
able to bear the weight of the object, and in
some cases may require strengthening in order
to withstand use. The aim of consolidation of
surface decoration is to halt the loss of original
material and to impart sufficient strength to the
surface to enable transport, storage or display
or to permit essential conservation processes.