Material analysis provides an understanding of the materials from which an object or building element is made. It is used to characterize changes that have occurred due to deterioration and previous interventions. This type of information aids conservators in determining the best plan for preservation and treatment.

JBC provides a wide range of analytical services through our own laboratory and partner labs. Members of our staff are world-renowned experts in architectural paint analysis. This technique is used to identify historic paint colors and finish schemes and how they have changed over time.

With our advanced, portable scientific instruments, we can bring our lab to you.

We offer on-site FTIR spectrometry and XRF analysis to identify the elemental composition of materials. Through our partners, we offer petrographic analysis of mortar, plaster, stone, and related materials, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Our conservators can help you select the best analytical techniques to answer your questions.

• See Field & Laboratory Testing for related services.

• See Paint Analysis for more information about this service.

Analytical Services

• Mortar Analysis and Replication Mix Design

• Finishes Analysis/Paint Archaeology

• Over-paint Removal Panels/Exposure Windows

• Metal Alloy Identification

• Wood Species Identification

• Fiber Identification

• Particle Identification

• Identification of Salts and Salt Content

• Chemical Spot Testing for Materials Identification

Analytical Techniques

• Optical Microscopy

• Gravimetric Analysis

• Reagent Testing

• Portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)

• Portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometry