Long-standing artworks and monuments show the wisdom and cultural identity of an ancient society along with the educational, material and spiritual merits of the people of that time. However, many historical artifacts and cultural monuments have been eroded over time and are in danger of deterioration beyond repair. There is a need to protect and conserve these artifacts. Restoration and preservation requires a multidisciplinary understanding of the inherent properties of these works based on the type of material and sufficient information in the properties of protective and conservation materials and research methods. Protective Material Coatings For Preserving Cultural Heritage Monuments and Artwork aims to familiarize students with the recent practices in conservation and restoration science in recent years by presenting a modern orientation on the subject focused on material coatings. Readers will be able to understand the properties of different materials in antique objects and how to adopt appropriate treatment methods based on these properties. This book consists of 5 chapters. In the first chapter, materials analysis techniques are described for historical monuments along with coatings used to preserve them. The second chapter introduces the properties of metals, alloys, and their common corrosion and explains protection strategies for metal monuments. An emphasis is given to nanocomposite coatings to prevent decay, especially through electrochemical corrosion. Chapter 3 is devoted to studying natural leather and parchments and their conservation from damage by environmental factors such as UV radiation, temperature, and humidity. The fourth chapter deals with stone works, which are in many historical objects. Chapter 5 introduces the reader to additional preservation materials and innovative methods employed to protect historical monuments and cultural heritage sites. Information about the removal of materials, cleaning of improper prior repairs is also given. Protective Material Coatings For Preserving Cultural Heritage Monuments and Artwork is an ideal book for students of archeology, architecture, materials science and contemporary arts courses who are required to learn about the techniques of preserving antique buildings and works of art. It also serves as a handy reference for professionals and general readers interested in the curation of museums and the conservation of buildings, and cultural heritage sites.

This book identifies novel advanced materials that can be utilized as protective agents for the preservation of stone. The innovative solutions to stone conservation presented here result in increased sustainability, reduced environmental impact, and increased social and economic benefits. It provides an overview of recent trends and progress in advanced materials applied to stone protection. It also explores the scientific principles behind these advanced materials and discusses their applications to diff erent types of stone preservation efforts. Essential information as well as knowledge on the availability and applicability of advanced nanostructured materials is also provided, with focus placed on the practical aspects of stone protection. Th e book highlights an interdisciplinary eff ort regarding novel applications of nanostructured materials in the advancement of stone protection. It provides insight towards forthcoming developments in the fi eld. Advanced nanostructured materials are designed and developed with the aim of being chemically, physically, and mechanically compatible with stone. Advanced materials for stone conservation that are characterized by several functional properties are considered in this book. These include the physico-chemical, protective, and morphological properties, eco-toxicity, and mechanisms of degradation. The authors present a thorough overview of cutting–edge discoveries, detailed information on recent technological developments, breakthroughs in novel nanomaterials, utilization strategies for applications in cultural heritage, and the current status and future outlook of the topic to address a wide range of scientific communities.

Protective coatings are commonly used to protect culturally significant works, such as outdoor sculptures and architectural elements. Given the valuable nature of such metalworks, there is a surprising lack of environmentally sustainable coatings available for their conservation. High performance clear coatings are not developed or thoroughly tested for compatibility and longevity on outdoor sculptures. This can make the implementation of both methods and materials, no matter how promising in a lab, a significant hurdle for the conservation science community. This dissertation work initially aims to replace high-VOC formulations such as acrylic lacquers and waxes currently used as protective coatings for bronze with a waterborne coating by investigating the film formation differences between coating types. Such differences likely have implications for initial film barrier properties as well as long-term performance. For coating any large-scale metal object, cost-effectiveness limits applicable coatings to commercially available resins with some minor adjustments. Additional requirements for protective coatings for artwork require they must also be transparent, reversible, easily applied and environmentally sustainable. The chemical and physical properties of polymeric coatings with nanoclays modifiers were investigated as they may offer superior weatherability and act as better barriers to water absorption than commonly used lacquers and waxes. This work ultimately finds that nanocomposites with poly(vinylidene fluoride) latex and chemically stabilized nanoclays significantly improved performance and may be a viable option in the protection of material cultural heritage. Protection of high value objects where aesthetics is also important, such as airplanes, buildings, and sculptures are among the possible applications for this research.

Coatings based on hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphates have a significant relevance in several research fields, such as biomaterials, cultural heritage, and water treatment, due to their characteristic properties. Hydroxyapatite can easily accommodate foreign ions, which can either be incorporated into the lattice, thanks to its specific lattice characteristics, or be adsorbed onto its surface. All these substitutions significantly alter the morphology, lattice parameters, and crystallinity of hydroxyapatite so they influence its main properties. These ion substitutions can be sought or can derive from substrate contaminations, which is an important aspect to be evaluated. Finally, this capability can be used to obtain hydroxyapatites with specific properties, such as antibacterial characteristics, among others. For these reasons, the aim of this Special Issue is to document current advances in the field of ion-substituted hydroxyapatites and highlight possible future perspectives regarding their use. Contributions in the form of original articles and review articles are presented, covering different areas of application.

This book addresses the effects of the environment on Saint Petersburg’s cultural heritage. It summarizes the results of long-term, large-scale monitoring of monuments in, and the environment (air, soil, vegetation) of, the historical Saint Petersburg Necropolis. The book offers detailed descriptions of the unique collection of decorative stones in the Necropolis and discusses the deposits that were most likely used to create them. In addition, it characterizes the processes of stone and bronze monuments’ degradation in response to physical, chemical and biogenic influences. Special attention is paid to describing the monitoring methodology and the structure of the monitoring information database. Drawing on the methodologies and cases presented here, the book subsequently puts forward a strategy for the conservation and restoration of these unique monuments. This book approaches practical questions of monuments preservation that will be of interest to museum staff, restorers and experts in various fields (geologists, biologists, chemists, engineers, etc.) whose work involves problems of cultural heritage preservation. The book is interesting for everyone who is not indifferent to the history and preserving of the world culture.

Understanding the chemistry behind works of art and heritage materials presents an opportunity to apply scientific techniques to their conservation and restoration. Manipulation of materials at the nanoscale affords greater accuracy and minimal disturbance to the original work, while efficiently combating the affects of time and environment. This book meets the growing demand for an all-encompassing handbook to instruct on the use of today's science on mankind's cultural heritage. The editors have pioneered modern techniques in art conservation over the last four decades, and have brought together expertise from across the globe. Each chapter presents the theoretical background to the topic in question, followed by practical information on its application and relevant case studies. Introductory chapters present the science behind the physical composition of art materials. Four chapters explore various cleaning techniques now, followed by four chapters describing the application of inorganic nanomaterials. Each chapter is fully referenced to the primary literature and offers suggestions for further reading. Professional conservators and scientists alike will find this essential reading, as will postgraduate students in the fields of materials and colloid science, art restoration and nanoscience.