Summary

The workshop dealt with the use of silicon-based products in conservation. It was attended by over twenty international specialists including representatives from the industry sector.

Presentations and discussions included:

• ethical issues on the use silicon-based products in conservation;
• the process of selecting products using performance testing both in a laboratory context and in situ during conservation projects such as the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua in the Roman Forum, Italy;
• emergency consolidation in extreme environmental conditions, such as in Angko Wat, Cambodia;
• consolidation of materials such as limestone with low chemical affinity to silicon-based systems;
• advantages and disadvantages of alkoxysilanes as stone consolidants;
• reservation of bronze surfaces and glass;
• hydro- and oleophobic protectives for porous substrates based on silane systems;
  
• aspects of bridging the gap between research and marketing of new products;
• funding and research planning issues.

Three main topics for further discussion and study were identified:

• consolidation of calcareous stones. Even though an on-going study was presented, it was agreed that the issue was not yet solved and should be further developed;
• interaction mechanisms of silicon coating with materials (such as gold, silver, copper), based on the industry's experience with semiconductors;
• development of:
  • a methodology for evaluating the performance of commercially available products;
  • guidelines for the selection of products for specific materials.

For further information please e-mail:
lab_services (at) iccrom . org

updated on: 22 February, 2007