Non-Destructive Evaluation in the
Preservation Toolbox
by Mary F. Striegel
National Center for
Preservation Technology and
Training

Cultural heritage is
deteriorating from
natural and
manmade causes.

NCPTT was created to develop or transfer
new technologies to the world of historic
preservation.

Without
nondestructive
testing of Cultural
Heritage,
appropriate
treatments cannot
be made.

New advances in
NDT hold the
promise of new
ways to study and
conserve our
cultural heritage.

What is Cultural Heritage?
KellyMullaney, “Cultural Exhibits during Hispanic Heritage Family Day,” October
21, 2008, online image, flickr.

Architectural
buildings
and structures. . .

Archeological
sites and
collections. . .

Art or historical collections. . .

Parks, gardens and other landscapes can
all be considered cultural heritage.

Cultural resources are subjected to many
agents of deterioration.

Natural decay goes
unchecked from
lack of
understanding of
chemical/physical
properties.

Well-meaning but inappropriate
maintenance leads to loss of materials.

Natural disasters have devastating
effects on cultural resources.

Manmade
destruction results
from lack of
understanding or
appreciation of
resources.

Nondestructive testing methods can help to
understand the physical aspects of cultural
heritage.

Eddy Current Testing

Eddy current
testing provides
a way to study
gilded surfaces

Infrared Thermography

Infrared
Thermography is
used to monitor the
consolidation of voids
and delamination on
stone artifacts in real
time.
Evaluation of Infrared Thermography for
Monitoring the Consolidation of Voids and
Delamination on Stone Artifacts in Real
Time, 2002 PTT Grant, Nelson Atkins Museum

Infrared
Thermography is
used to identify
presence of
termites in St.
Alphonsus Church,
New Orleans.

Laser speckle interferometry
The Getty Conservation Institute
Herculaneum Project
http://www.getty.edu/
conservation/science/
herculaneum/index.html
Accessed 3/12/2009

Laser Speckle Interferometry detects stucco
detachment in wall paintings.

The method
follows the
injection of grout
as a corrective
treatment.
The Getty Conservation Institute
Herculaneum Project
http://www.getty.edu/
conservation/science/
herculaneum/index.html
Accessed 3/12/2009

Nondestructive testing methods provide a
way to look at the chemical nature of
cultural heritage.

NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance)
MOUSE

NMR MOUSE can
help follow
deterioration of
pigments in
paintings.

Portable XRF

Copper Artifacts from the Gahagan Site,
Northwestern State University of LA
pXRF is used to determine provenance
of metal objects.

The technique can
be used to study
chemical changes
after treatments.

A new portable XRD/XRF instrument has
been built for the study of works of art.

PORTABLE XRD/XRF
INSTRUMENTATION FOR THE
STUDY OF WORKS OF ART
G. Chiari,
P. Sarrazin,
M. Gailhanou

This technique
allows for both
elemental and
mineral phase
identification.

Nondestructive
evaluation can
help us image
cultural heritage
in new ways.
Reflectance & Transmittance Imaging
at the Library of Congress
Fenella France & Michael Toth

Acoustic
Microscopy

Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM)
relies on the propagation of sound
waves to create images of materials.
Non-Destructive Imaging of Worn-Off Hallmarks and Engraving from Metal Objects of Art
Using Scanning Acoustic Microscopy, 2000 PTT Grant, Nelson Atkins Museum

SAM is used to identify worn hallmarks
on silver objects.
Non-Destructive Imaging of Worn-Off Hallmarks and Engraving from Metal Objects of Art
Using Scanning Acoustic Microscopy, 2000 PTT Grant, Nelson Atkins Museum

High Definition Documentation of Archeology, 2006 PTT Grant, CyArk
3D Laser Imaging

3D laser imaging
has been used to
document the
Statue of Liberty.

Reflectance
Transformation
Imaging
CHI Imaging,
chersonsos_018_P7213802,”
February 19, 2009, online image,
Flickr.
www.c-h-i.org

RTI is used to study Rock Art sites.
CHI Imaging, “_MG_0360,”
December 17, 2008, online image,
Flickr,
www.c-h-i.org

CHI Imaging,
“full_goat_digital_
image,” December
17, 2008, online
image, Flickr,
www.c-h-i.org

Cultural Heritage Imaging
of Coa Rock Art Site

It has also been used to evaluate
mosaics in Herculaneum.
The Getty Conservation Institute
Herculaneum Project
http://www.getty.edu/
conservation/science/
herculaneum/index.html
Accessed 3/12/2009

The nondestructive
evaluation industry
must be engaged
in preservation to
find new ways to
save our cultural
heritage.

Without a technical framework for treatment
decision making, conservators and
preservationists are left to trial and error.

Nondestructive testing offers new tools to
save cultural heritage.