Thesis: Laser Cleaning of Metal Artifacts (2006)

Title: Laser Cleaning as a Conservation Technique for Corroded Metal Artifacts
Author: Yang Sook Koh
University: Luleå University of Technology
Year: 2006
Pages: 114
ISSN: 1402-1544
Type of document: Thesis
Link: http://epubl.luth.se/... (pdf, 4.5 Mb)

Abstract:

Preservation of cultural property for the future is one of the most important activities of our society. The information which we can gather from such materials is a valuable key to understanding the past. Conservation is a process which includes a range of different treatments. Cleaning is one of the critical steps of the conservation process and involves stabilizing the material and the exposure of hidden details on the surface of the artifact in question. As the artifacts are often fragile and irreplaceable it is very important to choose suitable techniques and methods to avoid damage. Research is still continuing to develop new or improved techniques. One of these new techniques is laser cleaning which has shown good potential as a cleaning tool in many material categories in conservation work.

Table of Contents (short version):

1. Introduction
2. The ethics of 'Laser cleaning as a conservation technique for corroded metal artifacts'
3. (Paper A) Cleaning of corroded iron artifacts using pulsed TEA CO2- and Nd:YAG-lasers
4. (Paper B) The removal of layers of corrosion from steel surfaces: A comparison of laser methods and mechanical techniques
5. (Paper C) Removal of adhesives and coatings from iron artifacts using TEA CO2- and Nd:YAG-lasers
6. (Paper D) Experimental study on the effect of wavelength in the laser cleaning of silver threads
7. (Paper E) Cleaning oxides from copper artifacts using a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser