Silicone oil as a 'time and space capsule' in cultural relic protection: from rust removal of bronze ware to reinforcement of silk fabrics as a 'liquid time machine'
Corrosion of bronze ware is the "number one killer" for cultural relic preservation, and silicone oil-based rust removers achieve non-destructive repair through a three-step process of "dissolution complexation passivation": their molecules can penetrate into the interior of the rust layer, converting harmful rust such as cuprous chloride into stable copper silicate complexes, while forming a hydrophobic protective film to prevent moisture from entering. In the restoration of "He Zun" at Shaanxi History Museum, this technology reduced the surface corrosion area of bronze ware by 87%, and no secondary corrosion occurred within 10 years. For fragile silk fabrics, a composite solution of silicone oil and nano silica can form a "glassy" reinforcement layer: with a thickness of only 200nm, this layer can increase the strength of the fabric by 300% while maintaining its original color and texture. In the reinforcement of the plain gauze robe in the Mawangdui Han Tomb, the processed fabric can withstand 500 folds without damage, providing safety guarantee for the exhibition and transportation of cultural relics.