NUCLEART: nuclear techniques applied to art

Gamma radiation is used since the 1960's to sterilize and preserve materials. Since the first implementation in 1970, gamma radiation is used to disinfect wooden artefacts or ethnographic objects or to consolidate highly degraded wooden or stone items. The disinfection doses used and the effects of irradiation on wood and paper are described. Consolidation of materials by resin impregnation, followed by radiation-curing are discussed. The advantages of the latter over conventional polymerization are stated. 4 refs., 1 fig