Metals Working Group
Triennial Programme 2008-2011

Projects
• Develop the ICOM-CC website as an essential metals conservation information and communication resource.
• Develop an online Metals Conservation Bibliography.
• Organise and support the interim Metal 2010 conference, country groups and other sub- working group meetings.
• Emphasise and assist work on the following research themes;

A. Conservation as an interdisciplinary field
The role of conservators in many institutions has been steadily growing to embrace collaborations with other fields including, but not limited to art history, archaeology, archaeometry, and materials science. Acting as an intermediary between the object and these other fields, conservators can bridge disciplines to enhance our understanding of objects and assist with conservation decision-making processes. This theme will explore creative collaborations and investigate methods to better document and diagnose metal artefacts through the use of a variety of current and new techniques and methodologies. This theme is a follow-up and expansion of previous triennial period topics: Better knowledge of artefact and Where archaeometry and conservation meet.

B. New approaches and stabilisation techniques in metal conservation
One of the most critical issues facing metal conservators is the long-term stability of the artefacts. Over the years, a variety of stabilization techniques have been applied with the hope of slowing down further deterioration. Scientists continue to improve previous approaches and try to develop better and faster techniques. Those techniques include, but are not limited to chemical, electrochemical, gaseous, and subcritical fluids treatments. Continuing to evaluate the relative effectiveness and efficiency of each technique is an important objective. This topic also incorporates mass treatment, in situ stabilisation and risk management issues.

C. Electrochemical techniques in metal analysis and conservation
Electrochemical techniques are widely used in the field of conservation and materials science to characterise corrosion processes, assess and enhance stability, monitor treatments, and clean and stabilise metal artefacts. These techniques represent an invaluable tool to the conservation community and should be further investigated. This theme is a continuation of a topic from the previous 2005-2008 period, as it has been well supported.

D. Slowing down the corrosion of metals - new approaches in preventive conservation
The long-term protection of metal artefacts is still of major concern. It might be the time to look at past practices and new developments in the field specifically related to coatings, patination, corrosion inhibitors, preventive conservation, and maintenance of collections. This topic includes the application of risk management to conservation treatments and expands upon the previous theme Protection of metal artefacts.

E. Study and conservation of composite artefacts
This theme reflects overlapping concerns of ICOM-CC working group members whose objects typically include metal components. Here we expect to develop activities with the Glass and Ceramics, Wet Organic Archaeological Materials, Textiles, Ethnographic Collections, Leather and Related Materials, as well as Wood, Furniture and Lacquer working groups in advance of METAL 2010 and the next Triennial Conference.

F. Outdoor metals
This theme explores the conservation goals, techniques, and materials that have been used in the treatment of outdoor metals. Emphasis will be placed on the critical examination of established treatments, as well as new methodologies and enhanced treatment protocols. Information and technology sharing from allied industries has led to new and innovative conservation treatments through the integration of methods, materials, and processes. Understanding the way metals behave in an outdoor environment, including the owner’s use, maintenance routines, and effects of contact with other metals and materials, is critical to developing new relationships and resources for their preservation. We intend to advance our understanding of the factors responsible for the deterioration of metals in an outdoor environment and the resources available to conservators when dealing with this dilemma.

G. Industrial and engineering cultural objects
This theme looks at current conservation practice in the field of industrial and engineering cultural objects preservation (including military heritage). A bibliography will be developed on current and past practice in industrial and engineering cultural objects. Industrial literature would be consulted for potentially useful conservation materials, processes and products and survey on topics of technology, experience and practice. Current and past conservation methods and practice would be evaluated too through studies of specific conservation projects and of specific conservation methods.