Natural Sciences | Environmentally Induced Degradation of Synthetic Conservation and Restoration Agents
Documentation – Exemplary conservation and restoration using selected examples – digital knowledge transfer.
As a result of the industrial boom after the Second World War, coupled with the belief in progress that it was possible to develop durable products, modern synthetic materials (plastics) were used in renovation, conservation and restoration work for the preservation of historical monuments - without any lengthy examination of their suitability.
The high anthropogenic environmental pollution up to the 1990s and its impact on our cultural heritage led to accelerated ageing processes, especially for synthetic organic molecules, which are particularly susceptible to oxidation, photochemical processes and acid attacks. Discolouration, shrinkage, cracking, flaking, weathering and even mechanical failure of synthetic strengthening agents, coating materials, adhesives and other materials used to protect cultural artefacts have occurred. The substances introduced and now aged are in direct contact with the original material and have largely penetrated it.
As a result, those responsible today are often faced with the major problem of how to deal with damaging old restorations while retaining the original substance.
After understanding the ageing processes, the project aims to develop innovative methods, apply them to objects as models and communicate the results widely.
The following objects will be focussed on:
1. Frankfurt (Oder), St Mary's Church, baroque hereditary burial, including that of Friedrich Wilhelm Roloff
2. Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus, exterior façade, glass crumb painting "Man and Education" by Gerhard Krüger 1972/73
The POLYKON database (http://polykon.fh-potsdam.de/) developed by the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam is also being modernised as part of the project to disseminate the research results.
