|
|
|
|
|
[ee—di—kyool] |
|
ædicule’s services |
|
(Latin. Noun. Of micro architecture. Lit. Little building) |
|
Website designed, built and published by Michael Alexander Brown |
|
Dried clay imprint of a fossil |
|
Lime grout (lime and water) is injected into the larger cracks with a pipette. If this sample was natural stone, then its porous nature would force it to absorb the water, leaving the lime in to cure in place. |
|
The grout (thinned slightly) is then injected into narrower cracks using a syringe. |
|
With grouting complete, I am now ready to begin the next stage. |
|
NOTES: Although not stone, this naturally formed replica of a fossil is a perfect sample with which to demonstrate consolidation. It’s pattern of cracking is similar to stone and represents an extreme case. If a piece of limestone was in this condition, a firm rap with a knuckle would cause pieces to fall free. Though, with careful consolidation it can be given many years extra life. |
|
Next, a paraloid solution is injected into the finest cracks and fissures. Paraloid is a gas permiable acrylic. It is dissolved in acetone to form the solution. When injected into the stone the solution travels through any void it can pass through. The acetone dissipates, leaving the acrylic in place as a form of glue. |
|
When the grout has dried, lime mortar is chopped and sponged into cracks and fissures. In addition to its atheistic qualities, the mortar helps bind the stone even further. |
|
On this piece I have also applied a sheltercoat. This ensures that all ‘water traps’ are sealed, delaying further ‘freeze/thaw’ damage. |
