The aim of this research is to study and compare the different effects of some natural and
synthetic polymers dissolved in different solvents on sapwood and heartwood samples taken
from an archaeological decayed Cupressus sempervirens, a gymnosperm wood that had
been often imported into Egypt throughout history. Five commonly used adhesives were
chosen for this purpose: Paraloid B 72 dissolved in acetone (3% w/v), Methyl cellulose
dissolved in water (1.5% w/v), Funori dissolved in ethyl alcohol 70% (3% w/v), Gum Arabic
dissolved in water (3% w/v) and Poly vinyl acetate (PVAc) diluted in water (50% v/v).
Untreated sapwood and heartwood samples and treated sapwood samples were examined
using scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). For monitoring the chemical changes and
modifications, which occurred in the wood due to the chemical effects of the consolidants,
untreated and treated sapwood and heartwood samples were analyzed with an FTIR
spectrometer.