Coatings for Cultural Heritage

The aim of this Reprint is to research related scientific problems involved in coatings during the process of cleaning, protecting and restoring objects of cultural heritage through original research papers. As the precious legacy of human beings with high historical, artistic and scientific values, cultural heritage carries important information about human historical activities, reflecting the development and progress of world civilization. Studies of cultural heritage preservation play a key role in understanding human history, inheriting national cultures and safeguarding cultural diversity and creativity. Due to natural and anthropogenic factors, heritage assets have deteriorated, and cleaning, protection and restoration are crucial measures aimed at their preservation. In the process of preservation, coatings should be given particular attention as a research focus regarding the application of protective materials or advanced technologies/approaches on the culturally significant object, such as their compatibility, performance, stability, etc. Therefore, research on coatings for cultural heritage is an important issue in promoting the process of heritage conservation. In this Reprint, 11 original research articles include the following topics:

Coatings for earthen sites, grottoes, stone and other immovable heritage preservation and consolidation;

Coatings for movable cultural relics in cleaning, restoration and preservation;

Modeling and evaluation of coatings;

Compatibility of new protective materials from the perspective of coatings;

Application of new theory, methods, and materials in cultural heritage preservation.