Materials Engineering of Violin Soundboards by Stradivari and Guarneri

We investigated the material properties of Cremonese soundboards using a wide range spectroscopic, microscopic, and chemical techniques. found similar types spruce in as modern instruments, but spruces exhibit unnatural elemental compositions oxidation patterns that suggest artificial manipulation. Combining analytical data historical information, we may deduce minerals being added their potential functions—borax metal sulfates for fungal suppression, table salt moisture control, alum molecular crosslinking, potash or quicklime alkaline treatment. The overall purpose have been wood preservation acoustic tuning. Hemicellulose fragmentation altered cellulose nanostructures are observed heavily treated Stradivari specimens, which show diminished second-harmonic generation signals. Guarneri's practice crosslinking fibers via aluminum coordination also affect mechanical properties. Our old masters undertook materials engineering experiments to produce with unique