With the advancement of stone conservation engineering, maintenance techniques have become more diverse and sophisticated. Alongside this progress, new conservation theories have emerged. These theories are developed through the analysis and response to various issues and phenomena encountered in practical conservation work. While they each have their own rationality and applicability, they also come with limitations and restrictions. In recent stone conservation projects, some new challenges have arisen, along with new insights that have been summarized below.
First, not every natural stone requires protection.
Some high-hardness, high-density stones used in ten-hanging construction may not need any protection if the only concern is waterproofing or anti-alkali resistance. This also applies to certain coarse-grained granites. For instance, in igneous rocks like slow-cooled magmatic rocks, there is a significant amount of quartz. These low-density quartz surfaces can be easily penetrated by water and other pollutants. This idea has been confirmed and accepted by Maurizio, a stone conservation expert from the International Stone Association in the U.S. So, which materials actually need protection? A simple test can help: place a drop of water on the polished surface of marble or vinegar on the polished surface of granite. If no residue remains after 5 minutes, then that particular type of marble or granite might not require protection. This is typically the case with “Hua’an Jade†marble from Fujian.
Second, stone protection should be tailored to the material and the construction method.
In practice, it's often found that some protective agents don't perform well on certain types of stone. Apart from improper application or production issues, the most likely cause is the use of incorrect stone chemicals for protection. Granite and marble differ in mineral and chemical composition, and even within the same stone type, variations in density and chemical makeup may require different concentrations of silicone resin. For example, sandstone protectants usually have higher silicone resin concentrations, while those for harder and denser stones like granite or marble may have lower concentrations. Therefore, in stone conservation projects, it’s essential to match the materials with the appropriate chemicals and construction methods. Different stone types should be treated with customized solutions. This highlights the importance of building a comprehensive stone conservation database—like a dictionary or encyclopedia for the field. By consulting this resource before maintenance and construction, professionals can apply the right treatments, leading to better results and cost savings.
Third, don’t blindly trust imported stone protection products, nor dismiss domestic ones.
Currently, foreign brands are often seen as symbols of quality, but their high prices limit widespread adoption. Domestic products, on the other hand, are sometimes viewed negatively, yet they still hold a market share due to their affordability. However, these biases stem from a lack of understanding about stone conservation. All protective agents, whether imported or domestic, consist of active ingredients, diluents, and additives. There is no fundamental difference between them. In recent years, the development of domestic stone protection products has advanced rapidly, with their silicone monomer manufacturing and resin synthesis capabilities now comparable to those of foreign counterparts. In terms of formulation and application, domestic products are even ahead in many cases.
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