Conservation of bone relics using hydroxyapatite as protective material

Abstract

Conservation of bone relics using apatite as protective material was explored. The strategy was to treat the bone relics with calcium hydroxide suspension and ammonium hydrogen phosphate solution in succession. After treatment, the newly generated network apatite, which came from the reaction between calcium hydroxide and ammonium hydrogen phosphate, can bind fragile bone relics together and give enough mechanical strength. Conservation effect was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, capillary water uptake, color difference, and compressive strength test. The results showed that the proposed method was promising for the conservation of weak bone relics.