Non invasive analysis of manuscript covers: portable X-ray Fluorescence enlighteningh medieval Jewellery masterpieces

AbstractThis paper will present portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis applied in situ to three 11th- 12th century manuscripts covers considered as masterpieces of Northern Italy medieval jewellery: Pace di Ariberto (Milano), Liber Evangeliorium of Vercelli and Pace di Chiavenna. These objects show a sumptuous decoration of golden leaves, plates and filigrees, enamels and casted gems. The aim of this research is to obtain information on manufacturing techniques and composition of the artefacts, considering possible analogies and differences that may be useful for art historians’ discussion on manufacture place and artistic connections. XRF analysis was performed in order to determine the composition of the metals and enamels, and quantitative results, obtained using certified standards, undergo data treatment with multivariate analysis. The present paper will present a part of the results obtained on both the metals and glass materials, underlying the potential of pXRF in producing reliable results also when working in non-ideal conditions

Reducing Moisture Swell of Densified Wood With Polycarboxylic Acid Resin

A water-soluble polycarboxylic acid (PCA) resin was assessed for ability to limit moisture swelling of densified wood. Aspen flakes were treated in 0 (control), 1, 5, 10, and 20% PCA resin solutions and drained for 1, 10, and 20-min time periods. Following treatments, flakes were compressed to roughly 50% strain at 170°C. The PCA content of flakes significantly increased with increasing concentration and drain time. Water absorption and thickness swell of flakes decreased with increasing PCA content. Both water absorption and thickness swell of untreated flakes were over 100%; but for PCA-treated flakes, water absorption and thickness swell as low as 45% and 16%, respectively, were achieved. Irreversible thickness swell decreased with increasing PCA content, while reversible thickness swell remained relatively constant. The swelling coefficient decreased with increasing PCA content, a behavior that often is associated with bulking agents for treated, uncompressed wood. However, dynamic mechanical analysis further suggested that PCA resin acts as a cross-linking agent to stabilize the position of the collapsed cell walls