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Author
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Topic: Removing an artifact from acrylic encapsulation
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spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 12-08-2011 04:14 PM
   
Does anyone know of a process to remove an artifact from encapsulation (acrylic or lucite)? It seems this would be very difficult to do and might endanger the encapsulated item. |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 12-08-2011 04:31 PM
It is doable, and it might damage the underlying object. I checked in with Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS), about the possibility of removing the Gemini 8 flown Double Eagle (a $20 gold coin) from lucite that recently went up for auction. They mentioned that they could remove the coin but that it would be a long process, and there was no guarantee that the coin wouldn't be hurt. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 12-08-2011 07:39 PM
I would imagine that the risk would vary widely depending on the material encapsulated and the decapsulation method. For example a nut or bolt de-cased with an acrylic solvent seems relatively safer versus mechanical or chemical extraction of a fragile heat shield plug. |
Schoner
Member Posts: 20
From: Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Registered: Jul 2011
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posted 01-07-2012 02:23 PM
If it was originally encapsulated with documentation as to what the object is why would you want to remove it? But if not, and it was encapsulated by some amateur afterwards and the object is of a composition that is resistant to solvents, then there is an epoxy remover called "Exode Remover" that will turn epoxy or lucite into jelly, without harming the object within. Also a long soak in acetone or 91% IPA is effective in removing epoxy. I use these to remove epoxy from petrographic slides.
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spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 01-07-2012 03:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Schoner:
If it was originally encapsulated with documentation as to what the object is why would you want to remove it?
May want to un-encapsulate to make it's presentation more personal. Thanks for the advice. |
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