Marker for PEG

Karin Abelskamp <k.abelskamp [at] archeologie__nl> writes

>Currently, ArchaeoSpecialists is carrying out experiments in
>impregnating wood with PEG. To determine the extent of impregnation,
>we would like to "mark" the PEG (4000) solution to make the PEG
>easily recognized within the object after treatment (after
>cross-section). I can imagine that this has been done before. Does
>anyone have experience with the use of markers for this purpose?
>What type did you use and why?

I would suggest you try a search in BCIN. There were several papers
published by Greg Young at the Canadian Conservation Institute that
described the use of cobalt thiocyanate to strain PEG in thin
sections.

    "Treating waterlogged basketry: a study of polyethylene glycol
    penetration into the inner bark of western red cedar" Bilz,
    Malcolm; Grant, Tara; Young, Gregory S. (1998)

    "Polyethylene glycol treatments for waterlogged wood at the cell
    level" Young, Gregory S.; Wainwright, Ian N.M. (1982)

    "Microscopical determination of polyethylene glycol in treated
    wood - the effect of distribution on dimensional stabilization."
    Young, Gregory S.; Sims, Ritchie (1989)

Clifford Cook
Project Development Advisor
Canadian Conservation Institute
1030 Innes Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0M5
Canada
613-998-3721 Ext: 152
Fax: 613-998-4721


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:39
               Distributed: Wednesday, February 14, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-20-39-003
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