Laboratory research of solvent-assisted menthol sols as temporary consolidants in archaeological excavation applications

Abstract Temporary consolidation is a quite common practice during archeological excavations nowadays. Melts of cyclododecane or menthol are among the most used consolidants. When using melting protocol to consolidate fragile heritages in archaeological excavation sites, one frequently encountered challenges poor penetration melt into heritages, especially cases low environmental temperatures, high water content compact substrates. In this work, we explore possibility solvent-assisted sols as temporary consolidant. Six organic liquids individually introduced at concentration 9.1 wt% formulate room temperature sols. Their potentials consolidants systematically investigated. Experimental data indicate that solvent polarity important feature for purpose and ethanol with medium appropriate solvents. Laboratory research results show much better behavior good performances can be achieved menthol-ethanol sol. The as-prepared sol applied Liangzhu site satisfactory outcomes. This work shows an excellent material extremely wet condition.