Materials Analysis
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. Through our partners, we offer petrographic analysis of mortar, plaster, stone, and related materials, as well as advanced instrumental analysis, including FTIR spectrometry, SEM-EDS, GC-MS, XRF, and 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
Metals 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
A conservator crushes mortar samples for gravimetric analysis.
A conservator dissolves carbonate components of mortar to extract aggregate.
Stained wood section for wood species identification.
Simple characterization of salts using test strips.
A conservator examines mortar samples using a stereo microscope.
Petrographic analysis to determine cause of deterioration in stone.
Petrographic analysis of acoustic plaster.
Using a UV lamp to locate foreign matter filling pores in stone.
Petrographic analysis of marble sample in cross-polarized light.