The washing and conservation of bronze cultural relics
Bronze cultural relics, as a kind of typical ancient artifact, have become an important part of our modern cultural heritage. In order to prolong their beautifying life, the scientific and reasonable methods of washing and conservation are necessary. We need to understand the characteristics of bronze cultural relics, understand the types and chemical composition of bronze artifacts, master the appropriate washing and conservation measures, and carry out targeted treatment, so as to benefit their conservation and exhibition.
The bronze cultural relics are made of metal, which is relatively hard and prone to rust and corrosion. Therefore, in the conservation process of bronze cultural relics, the degree of oxidation and corrosion must be determined. Generally speaking, the corrosion of bronze cultural relics is mainly oxidized on the surface, and the degree of corrosion is classified according to color: light yellow, orange red, dark red and purple red. In order to prevent corrosion and oxides further deepening corrosion, the surface of objects should be washed as soon as possible.
In the process of washing, different washing materials and methods should be adopted for bronze cultural relics of different deterioration levels. For artifacts with light oxidation, a small amount of detergent or weak acid d. shampoo can be used to wipe off the dirt and rust, and the surface of the objects should be washed with clean water and dried. When objects are severely corroded, it is difficult to wipe off dirt and rust with detergents or weak acid d. shampoo, but special detergents or weak acids and alkalis can also be used. For heavily corroded objects, it is also possible to use soap or detergent dissolved in water, and then brush the object surface gently with a soft brush and dry it, so as to prevent further oxidation.
After washing and cleaning, in order to further protect the objects from corrosion and oxidation, a protective agent should be applied to the surface of the object. The most commonly used products are: wax agent and oil agent. Generally speaking, after using these protective materials, the surface texture of the objects can be kept intact while the objects can be kept safe. If the bronze cultural relics remain in an anoxic environment or wet environment, the use of a surface sealant and corrosion inhibitor is recommended.
In conclusion, in the conservation and maintenance of bronze cultural relics, washing and surface protection are necessary. Different washing materials and surface protective materials should be selected according to the state ofartifacts and the surface degree of corrosion, so as to achieve the effect of conservation and protection.
