CSIRO is conducting scientific research into artworks and cultural heritage projects.
Conservators in private practice and public institutions undertake the preservation, maintenance and conservation of an unlimited variety of materials and objects.
These materials can come from private and public collections, libraries, archives, art galleries, museums and historical and archaeological sites.
CSIRO is a national leader in the provision of scientific research in all areas of conservation.
As the primary conservation research centre in Australia, our skills support preventive conservation strategies through understanding of the physical environment within which an object is housed.
We have developed a range of environmental and performance evaluation methods including electrochemical tests, accelerated ageing tests, exposure protocols and analytical techniques.
Because of the value of many artefacts, sampling is limited to microscopic sized samples, which require specific analytical techniques.
The extensive range of micro-analytical capabilities within CSIRO supports characterisation of the vast array of materials encountered in artworks and archaeological materials.
Multi-disciplinary approach
Determining the physical and chemical structure of an artwork or material is necessary for prescribing treatments or recommendations for transport, storage or display.
As with most characterisation approaches, the use of complementary techniques is necessary to provide a full understanding of a material’s structure.
We have developed a number of advanced methods for non-destructive and micro-destructive analysis specifically with conservation principles and ethics in mind.
CSIRO contributes to the development of the conservation professionals in Australia, and regularly host and present workshops for conservation professionals.
Education and professional development
CSIRO contributes to the development of the conservation professionals in Australia, and regularly host and present workshops for conservation professionals.
These include workshops on:
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museum environment
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Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
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environmental scanning electron microscopy
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energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy
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laser cleaning.
We contribute to conservation training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Areas of research
Research is carried out to:
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reveal the history and technology of an object
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identify the nature of original materials and those used in previous restorations
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understand the causes of deterioration and the systems that are involved.
This is accomplished using advanced characterisation techniques developed specifically for conservation applications, such as:
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multi and hyper-spectral imaging applications for artworks
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chemical imaging with Raman spectroscopy, SEM/EDS and micro-XRD
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Synchrotron studies employing XANES and micro-diffraction.
Current activities
Our current research projects include:
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studies into the effects of laser cleaning on copper alloys
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understanding painting efflorescence
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characterisation of materials used in an Egyptian sarcophagus
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developing a large scale non-destructive survey strategy for textile collections
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organic and inorganic materials analysis
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accelerated ageing studies into adhesive behaviour.
Consortium members
This research is undertaken as part of the Consortium for Heritage Collections and their Environment, which is made up of:
Read our Materials characterisation and performance overview.
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