Materials Characterisation Tests for Objects of Art and Archaeolo

This book has long beeb awaited not only by the conservation profession but also by those in archaelogy and museums who need to know from what materials objects are made, the compounds that are associated with them, or the characteristics of the materials used to package or store them. In this volume, the authors have assembled, in one place, test for metals, inorganic compounds, organic and synthetic materials, as well as several test that help to characterize materials. The test are applicable to a wide range of object classes including metal, textile, leather, paper, lastics and architectural materials. In addition to presenting the detailed methodology for carrying out each test, the authors have evaluated the effectiveness of each test in order to assist the reader in selecting the most applicable test and interpreting the results.