Effect of marine aerosols on the alteration of silicate glasses

Abstract

This work is focused on the effect of marine aerosols on soda-lime, potash-lime and lead silicate glass samples. Two kinds of tests were carried out, the first one under laboratory controlled condition during 36 days to evaluate the alteration of glass surface by NaCl aerosols, and the second one in a marine atmosphere in Cabo Vilano (Galicia, Spain) for up to three months. Both tests showed similar results. NaCl aerosols acted as condensation nuclei in high humidity environments favoring the lixiviation of the alkaline and alkaline-earth ions from the glass surface and the solubilization of atmospheric gases (CO2, SO2). Marine aerosols could also accelerate the corrosion attack inducing the loss of the surface hydrogen bonds and the opening of the network accelerating the corrosion mechanism. Results also confirmed that high humidity favored the alteration of the glass surface and the formation of new crystalline phases. Soda-lime silicate and lead silicate glasses were the most durable ones, whereas potash-lime silicate glass presented a fissured alteration layer due to the hydrolytic attack of the surface. New crystalline phases including chlorides, carbonates and sulfates were detected on the glass surfaces which can be related to marine aerosols, environmental particles and the reaction of the cations lixiviated from the glass with the atmospheric gases.

Impact of solar radiation and environmental temperature on Art Nouveau glass windows

“…Rain and pollution are the environmental factors that contribute most for the glass alteration [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]; nevertheless, temperature has also a significant role [13][14][15][16][17]. From the physical point of view, solar radiation can induce the movement of the stained-glass windows due to the dilatation of the different materials [14].…”

Fungal biodeterioration of stained-glass windows in monuments from Belém do Pará (Brazil)

“…3 b) and iridescence, as it was seen by the naked eye in the sample. As it has been previously demonstrated (Rodrigues et al, 2014;Palomar et al, 2017), relative humidity plays an important role in glass deterioration. Environmental fluctuations lead to the formation of cracks due to hydration and dehydration cycles (Hogg et al, 1998).…”

“…Nevertheless, soda-lime silicate glass is commonly known by its stability in comparison with other historical glass compositions, such as potash-lime silicate, because their hydration process is long and slow (García-Heras et al, 2005;Piñar et al, 2013;Palomar et al, 2017). The chemical stability of the glass in a humid environment favoured the poor interaction between the inoculated fungi and the glass matrix since the higher supply of adsorbed water is required to make the glass more attractive for microbes (Drewello et al, 2000).…”

Environmental degradation of Modern non-balanced glasses

“…The formation of this salt was due to the reaction of the K +ions leached from the glass and the SO 2 from the polluted environment. K 2 CO 3 was not detected because it has a higher solubility in aqueous solutions than K 2 SO 4 (Palomar et al 2017).…”