Paraloid Resins with Polymeric Monomers Cured by Gamma Radiation for Consolidation of Porous Wood

Preservation consists of an action that aims to guarantee the integrity and perpetuity of something, such as a cultural asset. One of the preservation instruments is restoration, an intervention that aims to definitively secure a product of human activity. Cultural heritage presents an extensive diversity of wooden objects, which can be affected by insect attacks, causing severe damage to their structures. To recover this damage, compatible materials are needed to maintain their integrity. Therefore, we propose to study the obtaining of polymeric resins cured by gamma radiation without the use of catalysts for consolidation or restoration of wooden objects. A series of formulations were developed with polymeric resins based on paraloid B72 and polymeric monomers cured by gamma radiation from a cobalt-60 source. These resins were characterized by physicochemical analyses, and the results presented were surprising in terms of reversibility. Gamma radiation replaced the catalyst, curing the resin 100%, indicating new resin options for restoration and/or consolidation in porous wood.