Tracking consolidant penetration into fossil bone using neutron radiography
2013 ◽
Vol 92
(2-3)
◽
pp. 177-180
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Keyword(s):
AbstractIn the conservation of fragile fossil bone material, impregnation by solvent-borne consolidant is often required. Understanding the mode of penetration of consolidants into fossil bone is of crucial importance. It is governed by a variety of factors; neutron imaging is a powerful tool to monitor and visualise this penetration (non-destructively). The consolidation of a vertebrate fossil from the Maastrichtian of the southeast Netherlands was imaged at the High Flux Reactor facility at Petten, the Netherlands. The analysis shows current conservation practice to result in a sufficiently deep and isotropic penetration.