# Recent Developments in Materials Science for the Conservation and Restoration of Historic Artifacts
## 3 Advanced Polymers for Artifact Stabilization
### Case Studies  
Several case studies underscore the practical benefits of advanced polymers in cultural heritage conservation efforts. As polymeric solutions were one of the first introduced in the scientific conservation of cultural heritage artifacts, we will not insist on this topic, but only provide a few practical examples on their use. The application of polymers for the reinforcement of wood artifacts represents one of the classical examples in this area. For example, [PERSON] et al. investigated the impact of various coatings on the durability of wood panel icons (XIXth and XXth century), addressing the need for effective wood preservation methods due to the material's susceptibility to environmental factors such as moisture, UV radiation, and biological attacks. The results of the consolidation procedure (using Paraloid B72 dispersed in xylene and a mixture of wax and rosin) led to gaps and cracks being filled and wood fiber being covered, thus leading to a significant increase in their mechanical properties [50]. A more modern approach was presented by [PERSON] et al. [51]. The authors addressed the challenges associated with preserving waterlogged wooden artifacts, prone to significant degradation due to their exposure to moisture, leading to structural instability and loss of historical value. The research focuses on the use of silicone oil emulsions (using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and hydroxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH) as the base of the emulsion, various surfactants, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol as a cosurfactant, and a 0.5 wt% of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) solution as the catalyst) as consolidants for archaeological pine wood sourced from a 800-year-old shipw in the Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum. The study found that silicone oil emulsions effectively penetrated the wood samples and facilitated polymerization, leading to improved dimensional stability. The best-performing formulation (P2-2) exhibited a minimal shrinkage rate (Sv) of 4.23% and a weight percent gain (WPG) of 218.42%, indicating significant stabilization of the wood structure. The treated wood samples demonstrated enhanced physical properties, including improved resistance to moisture uptake and better overall durability compared to untreated controls. The silicone oil treatment provided a protective barrier against environmental factors that could lead to further degradation. At the same time, chemical analyses revealed that extensive Si-O-Si networks formed within the wood matrix following treatment, confirming successful polymerization and integration of the silicone material into the wood structure, with this microstructural enhancement contributing to the long-term stability and durability of treated artifacts. Another important aspect is the reversibility and non-invasiveness of the treatment, with the application of silicone oil emulsions being found to be minimally invasive, allowing for easy removal or adjustment if needed in future conservation efforts [51]. [PERSON] et al. [52] evaluated the performance of acrylic and silane-based consolidants in preserving various types of stones and bricks used in heritage masonry structures, respectively naturally weathered bricks from a heritage site in Nala Sopara, India. The cited work suggests that silane is generally more effective than acrylic for enhancing the durability and properties of various masonry materials. Higher burnt heritage bricks treated with both acrylic and silane consolidants withstood accelerated weathering, while lower burnt heritage bricks showed cracking at the interface between treated and untreated areas when using acrylic consolidants. Their conclusion was that silane consolidants are superior for reducing deterioration rates in brick samples, while acrylic treatments exhibit compatibility issues. At the same time, silane treatment improved water absorption, porosity, and compressive strength in sandstone compared to the untreated and acrylic-treated samples.