Solvation ability assessment of Fatty Acids Methyl Esters for the removal of wax-based coatings from Cultural Heritage

In the Heritage Conservation field, hazardous substances are still widely used for cleaning treatments on artworks [1]. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons – a class of low-polar solvents – are commonly used for cleaning treatments on stone and metal sculptures for the removal of wax-based coatings [2, 3]. Their short lifetime – 2 to 5 years for microcrystalline waxes– requires a constant maintenance, which means periodic cleaning treatments (Fig. 1) [2, 3]. The main reason for the use of toxic solvents is the lack of more sustainable products, which are capable to combine the need for the preservation of the artwork’s integrity with a greener approach.