Gels were used to perform localized dechlorination treatments on ferrous or copper alloy archaeological objects. Agar gel (3%w) was used as a medium for the electrolyte, a 1%w KNO3 solution. Localized electrolysis with gel was carried out using the same parameters as immersion electrolysis. To determine the end of treatment, two tools were validated: determining the quantity of chlorides present in the gels by XRF and monitoring the oxygen consumption of an object before and after treatment. This study shows that the technique results in the efficient extraction of chlorides. In the case of the stabilization of composite objects or for the localized treatment of copper objects, the use of a localized electrolytic gel treatment is a new effective solution proposed to conservators.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.