Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities , Luxor , Egypt
2
Conservation Department , Faculty of Archaeology , Cairo University , Giza, Egypt
3
Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology , Sohag University , Sohag , Egypt
4
Conservation Department , Faculty of Archaeology , Luxor University , Luxor , Egypt
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acrylic, silicone and nano silica additives used to consolidate a sandstone statue in Sphinxes Avenue at Luxor, Egypt. Sandstone samples were taken from separate, hidden parts that do not affect the statue, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) were used to determine its composition and current state, and a standard sample's selection. Six chemical materials were selected for the experimental studies. Two of them belong to acrylic resins (Addicon and Paraloid B72), Kemtekt and Wacker (OH 100) are silicone materials, Nanosilica is an additive material to Paraloid B72 and Wacker (OH 100), these materials were applied in concentrations of 2-5% ,the application was done in two ways : one was by immersing; the second was by brushing. Visual examination of standard and treated samples, physical properties such as density, porosity and water absorption, mechanical properties measurement (compressive strength), scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination, are evaluated to select the most suitable material used for the sandstone consolidation. Treated samples were subjected to artificial aging processes (thermal and salt weathering). The best consolidant was Wacker (OH 100) enhanced by nanosilica, which gave the best results in physical and mechanical properties compared to other materials, Wacker (OH)100 was the second material which could be used in the consolidation processes, followed by Paraloid B72 enhanced by nanosilica. High temperatures have been found to positively affect some hydrophobic materials, such as Siloxanes, making them Superhydrophopic, this is fully compatible with the climate of Luxor governorate, where temperatures are high most days of the year. Nanoparticles also improve the performance of some traditional consolidation materials such as Wacker (OH 100) and Paraloid B72 comparing to Addicon and Kemtekt that did not succeed in achieving the goal of the consolidation process.
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