Ancient glass alteration and advancement in active conservation strategies

Glass finds application in multiple domains, from the technological field to the artistic one. The study of its durability is central to determining its potential as a recyclable and sustainable material capable of replacing several dangerous and polluting constituents such as plastics, particularly in the upcoming era of circular economy. Because of the thermodynamic properties of this material and its high variety of compositions, the evaluation of glass durability and alteration mechanisms remains a challenge. In this work we propose a complete strategy to approach the problem of glass corrosion and stabilization. Combining the results of the macroscopic characterization of archaeological glass samples and artificially aged mock-ups, we define a novel silica-based formulation for the consolidation and protection of ancient glass.