Compatibility Indicators in Developing Consolidation Materials with Nanoparticle Insertions for Old Wooden Objects

The conservation of old wooden objects is a complex domain that encapsulates science, aesthetics and art. A priority in wood conservation is the operation of consolidation. Historical wooden objects are frail and present different forms of degradation, often active infestation being present. Maintaining physical integrity and authenticity are thus priorities for the object in question. A consolidation material should not only impart sufficient mechanical strength to the object, but be compatible with all the materials that are part of the object. A myriad of new potential materials and technologies are worth special attention in solving major problems in wood consolidation. Aiming to develop new nanotechnologic consolidation materials for old wood, we conducted several researches. Before testing the benefits of adding nanoparticles into the recipe of consolidation materials for old wood, one has firstly to establish compatibility criteria and indicators between the matrix and the insertion in each case. That is the topic of the present paper. The results obtained, namely a list of compatibility indicators, represent the starting point in developing innovative consolidation materials with nanoparticle insertions.