PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE REVISITED-NOVOLAC RESINS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEGRADED ARCHAEOLOGICAL WOOD

摘要

Archaeological wood is usually severely degraded. The Norwegian Viking Age Oseberg find exemplifies problems arising due to past conservation treatments and the need for new types of preservatives. Phenol formaldehyde (PF) has been investigated as a consolidant for alum-treated wood. X-ray tomography has revealed that it is possible to obtain a porous structure inside the wood, ensuring ethical acceptability by allowing re-treatment. In order to understand the curing mechanics, the kinetics of the initial condensation reaction were elucidated at room temperature. It was found that a second-order reaction using both phenol and formaldehyde concentrations is the most probable mechanism.