Analysis of the materials of cultural heritage objects is the first step toward any kind of a conservation-restoration procedure. In this work I have characterized binder materials in samples taken from 20th century paintings using infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry. With appropriate selection of model samples the library of infrared spectra, MS spectra and chromatograms was prepared for further interpretation of the results of the real samples from paintings. Together with the identification of the binder materials in the samples also some inorganic compounds (pigments and fillers) were identified using infrared spectroscopy. I have also employed infrared spectroscopy to study the effects of increased temperature on model samples of dammar resin, beeswax and their mixtures.
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