Traditional metal crafts have various materials and uses. Even though the same in material and use, they are, however, mutually different in the degree of corrosion or damage, depending on the methods or techniques of manufacturing. Accordingly, diffe...
Traditional metal crafts have various materials and uses. Even though the same in material and use, they are, however, mutually different in the degree of corrosion or damage, depending on the methods or techniques of manufacturing. Accordingly, different methods of preservative treatment should be also adopted in accordance with metal working techniques. Not greatly deviating from those of metal remains in general, various methods of preservative treatment by metal working techniques are to be summarized as follows.
It is desirable not to elute corrosion factors from the cast iron relics where intergranular corrosion has occurred, but to temper them with synthetic resins and infiltrate the glue into them as quickly as possible. Besides, it is desirable to infiltrate the glue into the crevices of metal joint as in intergranular corrosion after tempering them with synthetic resins, or to fill them with restoration agent.
The relics decorated with inlays or precious metals should be treated for treatment with all stabilizing chemicals or strengthening agents selected, depending on the basis metal whose ionization is active. At the parts decorated with inlays or precious metals, it is desirable to confirm, with X-ray films, parts which have got loose and to remove rust from them carefully using a microscope lest the traces of grinding, made for polishing at the time of manufacturing, should be eliminated.
At the gilt bronze relics, rust is chemically removed. At the same time, physical methods should be also appropriately used according to the state of relics since much damage may occur according to the state of plated gold.
Exposed to extinction for various reasons, all cultural properties including metal relics should be safely preserved and displayed in the environment suitable for its material and state. They are all valuable cultural inheritances regardless of kind and grade and should be handed over intact to descendents.