Abstract
In this work, we used chemically cross-linked acrylamide-based hydrogel patches that have been specifically developed for use as solid electrolytes in Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy to measure the impedance of two waxed bronze sculptures at the Seattle Art Museum’s (SAM) Olympic Sculpture Park (OSP) and compare those results to laboratory test panels. We determined that the impedance response in the frequency range in which measurements may be taken (10 kHz to 1 MHz) is mostly capacitive and that a freshly applied wax coating should ideally be less than 1 nF·cm−2 for optimal protective performance.
Highlights
Protective coatings are applied to outdoor sculptures, structural and architectural metalworks to prevent corrosion and deterioration of the surface finish
We have previously described the synthesis of hydrogels for use as surface-mounted solid electrolytes to monitor the protective quality of polymeric coatings on lab test panels using Electrochemical
We aimed to compare the capacitances of waxed test panels with waxed sculptures and to observe any changes in the measured values after reapplication of a fresh wax coating on the sculptures. Since this is the first time that such information has been obtained on waxed sculptures in situ, we aimed to report these values to serve as benchmark values for wax coatings for comparison with future studies
Summary
Protective coatings are applied to outdoor sculptures, structural and architectural metalworks to prevent corrosion and deterioration of the surface finish. In neither of those applications is direct access to the object under study (the painted layers or heart cells) required; the hydrogels are surface-mounted Inspired by such applications, we have previously described the synthesis of hydrogels for use as surface-mounted solid electrolytes to monitor the protective quality of polymeric coatings on lab test panels using Electrochemical. We utilize the optimized surface-mounted hydrogels in an EIS setup to monitor the protective quality of two waxed bronze sculptures at the Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park and compare those measurements with a variety of waxed and/or weathered and/or patinated bronze test panels. Since this is the first time that such information has been obtained on waxed sculptures in situ, we aimed to report these values to serve as benchmark values for wax coatings for comparison with future studies
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