AIC's 47th Annual Meeting

This paper presents research on the application of ultrasound to immersion cleaning techniques commonly used in textile conservation. Since the 1950s, the power and efficiency of ultrasonic cleaning have been alluring for archaeologists and conservators looking to treat difficult cleaning scenarios involving accretions and staining. Ultrasonic cleaning effects come from a phenomenon called cavitation, but the mechanisms of predicting, controlling, and directing cavitation have not been examined in conservation literature.

Within this paper, relevant literature from conservation and ultrasound research will be discussed in detail through illustrated and animated graphics. Experimental research will be presented on the critical factors that impact ultrasonic cleaning in a conservation cleaning environment. Effects beyond cavitation were investigated including temperature and pH, and how factors such as depth, distance, the physical properties of cleaning solutions, and the object undergoing treatment. High-speed, magnified imaging that was done in partnership with the University of Glasgow’s Cavitation Laboratory will be presented to further visualize the action of ultrasonic probes in conservation cleaning contexts.

Through the combined literature and experimental research, several factors that are critical for understanding and controlling ultrasonic tools in conservation cleaning applications were identified and tested. These factors can be used to further understand and research the application of other ultrasonic tools, cleaning environments, and conservation applications.