ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: Indoor but especially outdoor objects of cultural and aesthetical value are often exposed to deterioration. In order to be successful and durable, their restoration needs careful preparation based on an in-depth knowledge of the various physical, chemical and biological corroding processes that operate both on the macro-and the micro-scale. Non-destructive research techniques (ndt) represent a powerful tool to monitor the deterioration processes affecting these cultural heritage (CH) objects. Computed x-ray (micro)tomography (CT and µCT) is based on the attenuation of x-rays passing through a rotating object, allowing 3D-reconstruction of internal structures or phenomena and characterisation of material composition. From this visualisation and quantification, assumptions can bemade about the governing deteriorationmechanisms. Departing from well-known model conditions, predictions should become possible about the nature and the effectiveness of the proposed restoration techniques. The deterioration of natural building stones monitored with CT and with µCT seems to be governed by rock (petrophysical) properties like porosity and pore interconnectivity. Promising new applications of this ndt-research in the CH-domain will be explored.