Evaluation of some wood-water relations and chemometric characteristics of recent oak and archaeological oak wood (Quercus robur) with archaeometric value

Abstract

Abstract The present paper studied wood-water relations and their effects on color changes. Additionally, FTIR analysis of recent and archaeological oak wood was completed. Comprehensive knowledge of wood-water relations in recent and archaeological oak wood will facilitate the use of treatment material in the restoration and conservation process of the investigated artefacts. Wood samples were impregnated with tetraethyl orthosilicate. Sorption time until equilibrium moisture was reached increased significantly as a result of the treatment. Thus, the saturation time for treated recent oak wood was 43% longer than it was for untreated recent oak. Additionally, the treatment increased sorption time to equilibrium moisture in archaeological oak by 63%. The treatment resulted in significant color changes for both recent and archaeological oak wood. Samples displayed less color difference when they were dry compared to when they were wet. According to the FTIR analysis, tetraethyl orthosilicate causes the increase of the amount of O-H groups in archaeological oak wood and also caused an increase in the of the amount of C=O groups. This change is due to the hiding effect of xerogel formation on the functional group of wood.